Participant information sheet

 

Quality, learning spaces, social networking, connectedness and mobile learning:
Exploring the Student Voice in Online Education
 
Chief Investigator:
 
Trish Andrews
Senior Lecturer
Teaching and Educational Development Institute
The University of Queensland
Ph: 07 33652890
Email: t.andrews@uq.edu.au
 
 
1 February 2012
 
 
Dear Student,
 
I would like to invite you to participate in the research project: Quality, learning spaces, social networking, connectedness and mobile learning: Exploring the Student Voice in Online Education.
 
The main aim of the project is to develop an informed understanding of online (distance) learners learning spaces and their needs in relation to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for teaching and learning.
 
The objectives are to:
  • develop an updated synthesis of literature highlighting best practice in ICT for distance learners
  • develop an understanding of the ways in which online distance learners use technologies for learning and technologies for life
  •  generate a set of “voice studies “ in relation to the distance learner
  • make suggestions and recommendations to guide policy development in relation to the quality of teaching and learning for distance students.
All data collected will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. However, some data from photos, video recordings and quotes may be used in presentations and reports. Your participation in this project is entirely voluntary and any data related to you will only be included with your consent.
 
An incentive of $50 Amazon book voucher will be supplied in recognition of the time commitment required for this study.
 
Ethical clearance for this study has been obtained from Behavioural & Social Sciences Ethical Review Committee of The University of Queensland (project reference 2011001144).


What do I have to do?
You will first be invited to participate in an online information session to go through the guidelines for the data collection, address any questions or concerns and to ensure you understand the commitment involved in the study activities.
 
You will be asked to participate in the Charting the Weeks’ Activities and Day Experience Methods which will include video or audio recordings and photos. The Charting the Weeks’ Activities will require you to provide a detailed summary of your activities over the period of a week. The Day Experience Method will require recording your activities at irregular periods during an 18-hour period. Throughout this period you will receive SMS prompts on your mobile phone at irregular times to answer a number of questions about your current activities.  When you receive the prompts you will be invited to record information about the technologies you use for learning, how much time you spend using these technologies for learning, the kinds of activities and interactions you engage in for learning with ICTs and mobile technologies. Additionally you will be asked to provide information about the spaces and place in which you engage in learning activities and the technologies you use in those space and places. You will be provided with guidelines for the methods (attached) and have the opportunity to raise any questions in the information session held prior to your participation.
 
You will be asked to participate in a focus group activity as a follow up to the day experience method.
 
How long will it take?
The information session will take 1 hour.
 
The Charting the Weeks’ Activities will be conducted over one week and will require about 15 minutes each day to complete diary entries.
 
The Day Experience Method will require a few minutes commitment at irregular intervals throughout one working day, amounting to around one hour.
 
The focus group will take approximately one hour.
 
What will happen then?
All the data will be collated and analysed. All data will be treated with strict confidentiality. No identifying information will be kept on data or transcripts. All visual data will use pseudonyms. All data will be kept in locked filing cabinets.
 
What if I change my mind?
You are able to withdraw at any time from this study. If you would like any of your data generated in the project to be destroyed, then please ask the chief investigator.
 
How will I learn about the outcomes of the study?
Feedback to participants on the outcomes of the study will be provided by the project leaders via email. It is anticipated the outcomes of the research may result in publications in Higher Education Journals and Higher Education Conferences.
 
Participants will be able to obtain a copy of the completed report by contacting the Chief Investigator, Trish Andrews or by visiting the project website.  Participants will be notified by email when the report is available.
 
Are there any risks or benefits involved?
There may be minimal risks involved with this study.  Any visual data or quotes will only be used for presentations with the express permission of participants.
Data will be kept in a locked filling cabinet.
There will be no emotional, physical and psychological risks in this project.
 
There may be some immediate benefit to you in being involved in this study through greater knowledge about the ways in which ICTs can be used for effective teaching and learning activities. Data from this study will be used to inform policies and the design and development of online courses using ICTs to enhance the quality of the teaching and learning experience.
 
What if I have any questions?
You are able to ask questions by contacting the Chief Investigator, Trish Andrews.
 
Should you have any complaints concerning the manner in which this research is conducted, please contact the Ethics Officer at the following address:
Research & Innovation Division
Cumbrae-StewartBuilding (72)
THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND QLD 4072
Ph:   (07) 3365 3924
Fax: (07) 3365 4455
Email:humanethics@research.uq.edu.au
 
Thank you for your assistance with this study,
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Trish Andrews
Chief Investigator

 

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