Letter of Informed Consent

Dear Teachers:
As a doctoral student at Trevecca Nazarene University, I am currently involved in the
dissertation segment of my program. I have designed a quasi-experimental research study of the
influence of professional development on teacher integration of technology into the classroom.
The purpose of my study is to investigate teacher confidence and attitude towards technology as
well as integration into the classroom curriculum. The means for collecting the data will be
questionnaires and focus groups. The study will take place at Amqui Elementary School in
Madison, TN. Teachers at Amqui will receive professional development in technology
integration. This will take place over a three week period. At the end of the professional
development, teachers will again be asked to fill out the questionnaires.
In both the pre and post stages of my study all responses will be kept confidential and the
participants will not be identified by name. Only the members of my dissertation committee will
have access to the data, but never your identity.
The benefit of this study will be to gain information on the benefit of technology integration. The
data collected will also help to evaluate the effectiveness of the professional development.
The guidelines for protecting the rights of human subjects that are in operation are attached. If
you have any questions or concerns about this study, you may contact me by sending an email to
sqhendrith@gmail.com or calling my at (615) 496-4782.
The results of the study will be provided to you and will be mailed to you at your school address.
In advance, I thank you for your cooperation with my research and support.
Sincerely,

Stephanie Hendrith

Use of Human Subjects in Field Projects and Dissertation Research

Description
This research study proposes to examine teacher attitude and confidence towards technology and
explore impacts on pedagogy after professional development in technology integration. It is
significant to this field of study to gather information to investigate the best uses of technology in
order to better plan for technologys place in schools.
This study will use a quasi-experimental research design with a control group and an
experimental treatment group. Elementary classroom teachers that have not been randomly
assigned to the building are the focus of the research. Both quantitative and qualitative data will
be gathered and examined for research. The quantitative data will come from a pre and post
attitudinal instrument and the qualitative data will come from open ended questions during pre
and post focus group interviews.
In the first phase a pre-questionnaire will be given to all teachers to determine which
teachers will be asked to participate in the professional development. The idea candidate to
attend would be a teacher that has a low proficiency in technology and is looking to learn how to
use more technology in the classroom. Teachers who already have an established history with
technology integration would not be ideal candidates because they most likely already are
utilizing technology strategies in their instruction. After the pre-questionnaire establishes who
will participate, the attitudinal instrument will be given to the treatment group as well as a
selected control group of the same size. The focus group interview questions will also be given.
The professional development will consist of three one-hour workshops after school for
the teachers, followed by a lesson modeling from the researcher, or a co-teaching session by the
researcher and the participants. Following the workshops, teachers will be given planning time to
collaborate and develop lesson plans with assistance from the researcher. Upon completion of the
workshops, collaborative lesson planning, and modeling/co-teaching session, the participants
will be given the same attitudinal instrument again. Participants will also participate in a focus
group interview.
The pre and post questionnaire will be analyzed using an ANCOVA to determine if there was
any significance in data. To compare the ANCOVA data from both the control group and the
treatment group, a T-Test will be performed to determine if there is a difference or significance
in growth. The qualitative focus group data will allow the researcher to obtain opinions to clarify
responses and gauge effectiveness of the professional development experience.
The information gathered may possibly help inform decisions about technology purchases within
the school as well as professional development offered to teachers. With limited funds available
for both budgetary areas, it is important to spend wisely for both. Teachers may also be better
capable to prepare students to compete in the ever-changing global economy.

Population
The population for this study is an urban elementary school with an enrollment of approximately
640 students in grades K-4. The population is 46% female and 54% male, with an 18% White,
36% Hispanic, and 46% Black diversity ratio. 94% of students are on free and reduced lunch,
and 27% are Limited English Proficient. 14% of students receive special education instruction.
Informed Consent
All teachers participating in the study will receive a consent letter informing them of the purpose
of the study as well as a description of the process of the study prior to completing the survey
questionnaire or participating in focus groups.
Agency Approval
Written approval for this study will be secured from Metro Nashville Public Schools prior to any
research.
Confidentiality of Data
All data will be stored in a locked file cabinet at the researchers home. All data will be
destroyed after the acceptance of the dissertation. Taped data from interviews will be stored
digitally in a password secured computer. All files will be deleted from electronic storage after
the acceptance of the dissertation.
I have read the consent form. My questions have been answered. My signature indicates that I
understand and that I consent to participate in this study.

______________________________________
Name of Participant

______________________________
Date (Participant)

______________________________
Signature of Researcher

______________________________
Date (Researcher)

_____________________________
Signature of Participant

This study may involve the audio taping of the focus groups. Neither the name nor other
identifying information about the participant will be associated with the recordings or the
transcripts. Only the researcher will listen to the recordings.
The tapes will be transcribed by the researcher. Once the transcription is checked for accuracy,
the recording will be erased. Focus group transcripts may be reproduced in whole or in part for
use in presentations or written documents that result from the study; however neither the name
nor other identifying information of the participant will be used.
Please check the following options:
______ I consent to recording the focus group discussion.
______ I consent to having my focus group discussion transcribed into written form.
______ I consent to the use of the written transcription in presentations and written documents
resulting from the study, provided that neither their name nor other identifying information will
be associated with the transcript.

Signature of Participant ________________________________

Date _________________