Distance Learning Programs at the Saint Louis Zoo

The evaluation study supports the project Distance Learning Education Programs at the Saint Louis Zoo. To better understand what teachers want and need, and the characteristics of the settings in which their students learn, the Zoo conducted an online survey of the teachers of students with special needs in May 2014. The purpose of this evaluation was to clarify and expand the survey findings to support the design, development, and implementation of the Zoo distance learning curriculum so that it works effectively across a variety of school settings for K12 students with special needs and their teachers. Carey Tisdal of Tisdal Consulting was contracted to conduct four focus groups to explore the several overarching questions. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations are organized around these questions.