You are invited to participate in a research study that will investigate the effectiveness of the use of electronic portfolios for teacher candidates. I am a doctoral student doing research for my dissertation at the University School of Education. You were selected as a possible participant in this study because of your involvement in the creation of an electronic portfolio for the Multiple Subjects Language Arts and Reading Instruction Curriculum 135 course taught by Dr. Ellen Smith.

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire concerning your background in the use of technology. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes to fill out. You will also participate in a 30-minute audio-taped interview session in which you will be asked to share your perspective on the electronic portfolio process. You will be asked to give open-ended verbal responses to the interview questions. Your electronic portfolio will also be examined particularly for the purpose of analyzing content related to course objectives.

There are no risks involved for participants. Benefits include the opportunity to share insights that may improve the effectiveness of using technology in the portfolio process for future credential students. Subjects will also receive a CD-ROM copy of their electronic portfolio.

Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission. Because this dissertation will be presented in multi-media as well as printed format, the researcher will be incorporating images and audio files into the research presentation. The researcher will disguise electronic pictures and video presentations through photo filtering if desired by participant. Interview tapes and electronic portfolio copies will be used for non-commercial use only. The participant will be given an opportunity to preview the multi-media presentation of the dissertation and approve of the use of his/her portfolio artifacts before completion of the study.

Your participation is entirely voluntary and your decision whether or not to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to participate, you are free to discontinue participation at any time with out penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

If you have any questions about the research at any time, please call Carla Piper at (100) 100-1000 or write to Carla Piper, 100 Main Ave., City, State. You may also contact Dr. Ellen Smith at the School of Education, University, City, State (111) 100-1000. If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in a research project, please call the Graduate School Office, University (111)100-1001.. You will be offered a copy of this form to keep.

Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the information provided above, that you willingly agree to participate, that you may discontinue participation at any time, and that you are granting permission for the non-commercial use of your electronic portfolio, including pictures, graphics, and audio files.

Carla Piper, Doctoral Student
 
 
 
 

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