Informed Consent

Adult Participants
Western Governors University - Teachers College
M.Ed., Learning and Technology
Julie Pollard
Accessible Instructional Media
Introduction
Julie Pollard, a graduate student of the Teachers College of Western Governors University
completing her Masters of Education (Learning and Technology), wishes to conduct a research study to
examine how an instructional unit on captioning and obtaining captioned instructional media and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affects faculty attitudes and practice regarding creating and
obtaining captioned instructional media. By signing this consent form, you agree to participate in the study.
All data collected as part of this study will be reported without identification of individual participants.
Description of the Project
The purpose of this mixed-methods, action research study is to examine how an
instructional unit on captioning and obtaining captioned instructional media and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) affects faculty attitudes and practice regarding creating and
obtaining captioned instructional media. Specifically, the researcher seeks to answer the
following research questions:

1. What effect does a unit on creating and obtaining accessible instructional media have on
a faculty member’s ability to create and obtain captioned media as measured by a pre-
and post-test?
2. What effect does training about online accessibility, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the Accessible Technology Policy have on faculty attitudes and perceptions
about their roles as measured by a pre- and post-interview and a pre- and post-survey?

The 8-hour instructional unit is designed provide information necessary for college
faculty to understand and abide by laws and college policy regarding accessible instructional
media. Additionally, the unit is designed to provide faculty with the skills and tools needed to
obtain and create captioned instructional media. Faculty enrolled in the unit will be given
opportunities to relate their learnings to the college mission and core values, and to discuss the
ways in which captioned media benefits the diverse learners they serve in their classes.

For the purposes of this study, content will be delivered in hybrid format. Study
participants will attend two, two-hour workshops; one at the beginning and one at the end of the
unit. Participants will complete four hours of coursework online between the introductory and
concluding in-person workshop.

To answer the research questions, study participants will be asked to complete the
following: Instructional Media Pre- and Post-Test, Instructional Media Faculty Survey and
Instructional Media Faculty Interview. The Instructional Media Pre- and Post-Test is a ten
question, multiple choice test designed to measure faculty knowledge about the ADA, college
policy, captioning resources and creating captions in YouTube and Panopto. The Instructional
Media Faculty Survey is designed to determine faculty use of and knowledge about captioned
media; as well as gauge faculty beliefs regarding accessible instructional media for students with
and without disabilities.

Benefits and Risks of the Study

The risks to study participants are minimal. Participants may experience some anxiety if they
believe they have not been following the laws and policies introduced in the instructional unit. Your
participation in this study is completely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time, should you feel your
risk outweighs the benefit to participation.
If the study results suggest benefit to learners and the institution, the unit can easily be delivered
online via the CANVAS course management system as a part of the Culturally Responsive Educators
course modules available to all college faculty. Furthermore, the results of the study can help us to better
understand how to assist faculty with adhering to laws/policies and providing equitable access to course
materials.
Confidentiality
Study participant information and data will be kept private and confidential. Any raw data with
personal identifiers, such as name or department, will be seen by the researcher only. Individual names will
not be used in reporting findings from the study. During the study, data collected by the researcher will be
stored in a locked file cabinet, or password protected drive, and used solely for the purposes of this study.
Audio recordings and interview transcripts will be destroyed on February 28, 2018.
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal
Your participation in the study is completely voluntary and you have the right to withdraw at any
time.
Your employment at the college will not be impacted in any way as a result of participation or
withdrawal from this study.
To withdraw from the study, notify the researcher via e-mail or telephone call at jjine@wgu.edu or
206.353.6611. If you withdraw from the study, your information will not be included in the final report.

Questions, Rights and Complaints

If you have additional questions about the study, please contact me at jjine@wgu.edu or
206.353.6611.
If you have unresolved questions or complaints, you can contact the IRB chair at Western
Governors University at IRB@wgu.edu.
Participants have a right to view the results of the study. If you are interested in receiving a copy of
the final report, please contact me at jjine@wgu.edu or 206.353.6611.
Consent Statement
By signing this document, the appropriate official grants permission for participant data collection
and reporting necessary for this study.
 By signing this document, the subject voluntarily agrees to participate in the study and that they
have the opportunity to have their questions answered.
By signing, the participant also acknowledges that they have received a copy of the informed
consent form.

____________________________ ______________________________
Designated Official Signature Participant Signature
____________________________ ______________________________
Title of Designated Official Typed/Printed Name
____________________________ ______________________________
Typed/Printed Name Date
____________________________
Date