A Series of Happenstances: How the Pandemic Created Opportunities with Technology

Abstract

The Happenstance Learning Theory (HLT) has primarily been used in career counseling fields, predominantly in helping clients transition through different happenstances in life to find a career path. However, the COVID-19 pandemic showed that our nation’s teachers also developed the skills that are considered the pillars of HLT, as they made the transition from teaching traditionally one day to remote learning the next. This study explored how 46 special educators adapted their teaching methods to best address the needs of their students despite challenging circumstances. This study also suggests the application of the Happenstance Learning Theory in understanding and explaining how teachers seemingly make changes “in the moment”.

Keywords

• persistence
• special education
• happenstance learning theory