*

Research Study: A Student-Initiated Approach for Supporting Students in Inclusive Classrooms

PARENT INFORMATION FORM

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to develop an assessment process to enable students to directly communicate to their teachers so they can get the support they need earlier. It is also to help students become more involved in their learning.
 
The following research questions guide this study How does the implementation of a student-initiated learning assessment process impact a student’s perceived level of engagement and motivation?
 
Inclusion Criteria:
Attending a public, private or charter English or French language school in Canada.  Research materials will be conducted in English so the participants require satisfactory English language level.
In grades 5-10 in the 2024-2025 school year. Recommended that students are able to read at a minimum grade 5 English reading level.
Has access to either a computer, tablet or phone mobile device through a Wifi internet connection.
  • Study Details
  • Completion of an online learning assessment about learning strengths and needs resulting in a highly tailored learning plan. The initial learning plan will be shared through the online tool with the organization that provided student access to the assessment.  Students can also share the plan with their teachers, parents or anyone else supporting them in their learning by emailing or printing a pdf copy.
  • Completion of a pre-study and post-study survey.
  • Completion of the assessment will be at home or organization (determined by organization) using a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The assessment should be completed independently but students can get support if needed from a parent/guardian or the researcher.
Time Commitment
Approximately 90 minutes in total to complete but can be completed in short periods of 5-10 minutes each over 2 weeks.

Compensation
Each child who participates in this study will be provided with:
A $25 Amazon gift card (only the first 50 students)
1 in 100 chances to win a one of an Xbox One Wireless Controller, JBL Speaker or Beats Headphones A learning plan with strategies to help the students get supported the way they learn best and become more accountable for their own learning.
 
Possible Risks and Benefits
The results of this study will test the feasibility of a new technology based assessment tool to help teachers support all students in inclusive classrooms. This poses minimal risk to students as they are asked to complete an online self assessment about their learning. Completing the tool might result in surprises for some students as they learn about themselves. Students will benefit from their participation by having the opportunity to directly communicate their needs and also have choice in the instructional strategies that will help them.
 
Voluntary Participation
Students who wish to complete the assessment will be advised that the information collected is part of the beta testing period and may be used for research purposes. However, participation in completing the assessment is voluntary.
 
Withdrawal from Research
Participants can  withdraw their participation any time before July 31, 2025. Any information collected up to and before the participant withdraws will be destroyed. A request to withdraw from the study can be made by emailing the researcher at dpmontgomery@upei.ca.
 
Confidentiality & Storage of Data
In this study, the student may have contact with the researcher. The researcher will require contact with the student through email (registered on the website) to keep the student on track and provide any support student needs. All information communicated will remain confidential. Pseudonyms will also be used in the reporting of all data at the end of the study.
 
Research data will be stored with a password on each single document and with password protection on the University of PEI’s secured OneDrive/SharePoint storage system. Data from the process will be collected and stored using pseudonyms with password protection on a secured Learn Dash Learning Management System solely administered and owned by the researcher. Pseudonyms will be used for teacher and student participants to ensure confidentiality of data collected. Only the researcher and the organization that invited the student to complete the assessment will be aware of the identity of the student and will be able to view the student’s learning plan. Only the researcher will have access to the pre- and post-study surveys. The student has the option to share the data which formulated their learning plan with their teacher or anyone outside of this research who is supporting the student with their learning. Data must be retained for at least five years, as per the ‘Procedures for Stewardship of Research Records and Materials’ at the University of Prince Edward Island’. The data will be destroyed after a period of 5 years.
 
Reporting of Results
The results of the study will be used for a doctoral dissertation and may also be used in academic journal publications.

Expressed Consent
Sharing the student assent form and website with your child indicates your parent/guardian consent. 

Questions
This project has been reviewed by the UPEI Research Ethics Board and it complies with Tri-Council guidelines for research involving human participants. If you have any questions concerning the study, please direct your inquiries to Diane Montgomery (researcher) at 416-562-0359 or dpmontgomery@upei.ca  Dr. Kathy Snow (supervisor) at 902-620-5152 or ksnow@upei.ca. Any concerns regarding your involvement in this study may be directed to the UPEI Research Ethics Board, researchcompliance@upei.ca. or (902) 620-5104.

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM

Why are you being asked to be part of this project? My name is Diane Montgomery and I am developing a tool to help you talk to your teacher about who you are and how you learn best so they support you better.  It is with students in grade 5-10 so I would like to invite you to this study.

If you join this project, what do you have to do?

  • Complete some short 5- 10 minutes quizzes. You can start and stop anytime. The total time is about 90 minutes.
  • Complete a short survey at the beginning and end of activity.
What do you get for being in the project? Since you helped us, you will receive
  • $25 Amazon gift card- (first 50 students to complete assessment)
  • 1 in 100 chances to win a one of an Xbox One Wireless Controller, JBL Speaker or Beats Headphones
  • Access to a variety of gamified activities to help you learn better.
Will any part of the project hurt?   The project will not hurt and you only have to do it if you want to. You can stop at any time.

Does your parent/guardian know about this project? Your parent/guardian knows about this project and is allowing you to take part in it if you want. You should talk to your parents/guardian first before doing it.  Even if your parents agree to it, you can decide for yourself if you want to do it.  It’s your choice.

Do you have to be in this project? You don’t have to be in this project and nothing bad will happen if you decide not to take part. It is up to you. If you say yes now, and you decide you don’t want to be in the project anymore, you or your parent/guardian can call or email me before July 31, 2025 at 416-562-0359 or dpmontgomery@upei.ca.

Who will see the information collected about you? When we are finished with this project, we will write a report but it will not have your name on it. Nobody will know you were part of the project except the organization who invited you and the people doing the project to protect your privacy. The organization who gave you access to the tool will also be able to see your learning plan so they can support you. Only the researcher will have access to the pre- and post-study surveys. Any information we collect from you will be kept safely locked up.

What if you have any questions?

You can ask any questions about this project.  If you have a question later that you didn’t think of now, either you can call, or have your parent/guardian contact me (Diane Montgomery) at 416-562-0359 or dpmontgomery@upei.ca or my supervisor, Dr. Kathy Snow (supervisor) at 902-620-5152 or ksnow@upei.ca. You can also contact me if you need any help in using the tool.