Title: An Investigation of High School Students' Perceived Well-Being in a Flexible Blended- Learning Program Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

Program: Educational Technology EdD

Committee Chair: Dazhi Yang

Committee: Dazhi Yang, Patrick Lowenthal, Jesús Trespalacios

Abstract: This dissertation investigated the impact of a flexible, blended- learning (FBL) program on high school students' sense of well-being, as defined by self-determination theory (SDT). SDT suggests that fulfilling three basic psychological needs is considered essential for well-being and optimal functioning. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates how an FBL program influences high school students’ perceptions of the fulfillment of psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study involved high school students enrolled in FBL courses in a midwestern school district in the USA. Data were collected through surveys adapted from the Students’ Basic Psychological Needs Survey (SBPNS), followed by focus group interviews. The study contributes to the understanding of how a high school FBL program can support students’ well-being. The findings are valuable for educators, administrators, and policymakers seeking to implement effective programming that promotes well-being among students.