| The purpose of this embedded case study was to investigate a California charter school that had been given a unique opportunity to incorporate a technology-based educational design into its 7th through 12th grade curriculum. The specific goals of the case study were to gain insights into (a) the new learning environment and its program; (b) the effects of the change in learning environment on participants; (c) student, parent, and teacher satisfaction with the new program and their perceptions of academic achievement; and (d) the challenges encountered during the actual transition.;The study revealed significant dissatisfaction with the transition process and a pronounced decrease in program satisfaction among parents and students as the term progressed. Areas of concern uncovered during the investigation included program disorganization, insufficient student counseling, miscommunication to stakeholders about program objectives, and an increase in student stress.;Teachers attributed the improvement in the quality of presentations to the increased availability of technological support. There was a strong correlation between the perceptions of all three response groups as to what educational environments best prepare students for the 21st century. However, considerable disagreement between the staff and the other respondents was evident in other areas.;The researcher suggests that the efficacy of constructivist education and a technologically supportive learning environment are insufficient to insure program success. Research findings indicate that planning and teacher training are critical components of successful program implementation. The need for all stakeholders to understand and agree on program philosophy and purpose is also crucial to participant satisfaction.;The case was investigated qualitatively through formal and informal interviews and open-ended questions, and quantitatively through the analysis of Likert-type responses, presentation grades, and the preference rankings of educational options.;The researcher concludes that there is a need for a longitudinal study to follow the continued evolution of the new learning environment. |
