McNair Scholar 2020 Emma J. Otremba
Emma J. Otremba is a senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in Youth Studies with minors in Family Social Science and Learning Technologies. Her research interests revolve around youth and technology and youth identity. Ms. Otremba plans on getting her Ph.D. in Human Development and Learning Sciences.
My dream is to always continue learning and growing to be a better person. I want to empower young people to believe they can do the same.
Research project
“Uncertain but Hopeful”: Early Childhood Family Educators’ Perspectives on COVID-19 Virtual Instruction
Abstract: Starting March 2020, COVID-19 forced Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs to adapt to online delivery. In order to evaluate how this programming went, ECFE professionals across Minnesota were surveyed with questions on how programs adapted to virtual instruction, what technologies or resources were valuable, and how could this experience be better. Results indicated that the most valuable technologies were videoconferencing and email, while district websites were least valuable. The dominant themes across all questions were the value of relationships, resources use/needed, education inequities and challenges, changes in instruction, and emotion. These results highlight the changing atmosphere in education due to COVID-19, the wholistic experience of an educator, and the need to adjust ECFE programming in a more equitable way. The results also showed the resiliency of ECFE professionals. Educators remain uncertain of the most effective path forward, but hopeful for the return of in-person classes for families and students.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Susan K. Walker is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Walker attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she received her Ph. D. in Child and Family Studies in 1996. Her research specializes in parenting education and the preparation of parenting and family educators, technology integration in nonformal education and adult learning, and social context influences on parent learning. Dr. Walker is published in multiple research journals and has presented her work at conferences at the national and global level.