Conduct research on the use of adapted video clips with students with intellectual disabilities

Preparing and submitting Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities grant (taking a lead on that)

Learn more about UDL and apply that information to development of the video toolkit universal design program for teachers of students with disabilities

Efficacy of Video Instruction Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively synthesize original research studies on the efficacy of video instruction as an intervention tool for teaching academic, functional, and behavioral skills to school-aged children with and without disabilities. Fifty one studies, including 24 with group design and 25 that employed single subject research, were integrated through a meta-analysis technique. Effect sized were calculated for experimental group design studies and percent of non-overlapping data (PND) scores were determined for single subject research studies. Preliminary findings included in this study were used to initiate a comparative analysis of different video formats, applications, and interactivity features as they are used in educational settings.

In-depth d ata analysis is in progress

Products:
1. Efficacy of Video Instruction Meta-Analysis: Preliminary Findings - draft of manuscript

The National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI)

I'm fortunate to be a part of the NATRI/GMU team. We are involved in analyzing data on AT use on the national level. My assignments so far include:

Preparing a book chapter for practitioners on assistive technology integration including arranging physical environment, technology trial use, and instructional strategies. The chapter (and the book) will include various checklists and forms developed on the basis of NATRI's previous research.

Analyzing and reporting data on the current state of awareness and use of AT services. I was responsible for going through all the steps of article writing: from raw data to publishable article. I prepared literature review, description of the method section, study results, and discussion about the implications.

Writing the literature review for the article on Assistive Technology Implementation Plans. I had to build the rationale for using the detailed descriptive plan in order to ensure implementation of recommended technology.

Products:
1. Going beyond assistive technology devices: Are assistive technology services being considered? - Manuscript submitted for publication to JSET

Technology Implementation: Students with High-Incidence Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of assistive and instructional technologies as an instructional tool by special and general education teachers educating students with high-incidence disabilities. This study examined low and high technology implementation in order to support students with learning disabilities and emotional disturbance throughout all grade levels in all subject areas. It is an effort to guide further research as well as contribute valuable information to improve technology implementation in public schools. Furthermore, it describes the ratio of instructional vs. assistive technology currently used in public schools, which may result in implications for teacher preparation programs in terms of technology training.

123 surveys and 15 follow-up interviews were conducted. Data analysis is the next step.

Products:
1. Assistive and Instructional Technology Integration in Content Areas for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities (JPEG - opens in the same window) - Poster Presentation, TED/TAM Conference, San Diego, California, 11.8-11.2006

Word Prediction for Students with Learning Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three current word prediction software programs (Co:Writer, WordQ, and WriteAssist) on legibility, accuracy and length of journal writing by students with severe writing and/or spelling difficulties. This single-subject design study was supplemented by the initial comparison of three different word prediction programs including students’ preferences. It contributes to the research evaluating the effectiveness of specific technology-based instructional materials.

1. Word prediction programs with phonetic spelling support: Performance comparisons and impact on journal writing for students with writing difficulties - manuscript submitted for publication to LDQ

2. Predicting Writing Success: Word Prediction for Struggling Writers (JPEG - opens in the same window) - Student Poster Presentation, DLD at CEC Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, 4.19-21.2007

Teachers' Use of Writing Software with Students with Special Needs

This study was intended to investigate the use of writing technologies as an instructional tool by special education teachers who, during their master's program, participated in an internship focused on the use of technologically based writing tools versus those who did not. This study examined the efficacy of CompuWrite as a technology training program in an effort to guide improvements in George Mason University 's special education licensure and master's programs as well as contributed valuable information to improve the CompuWrite experience for students and interns.

Products:
1. Teachers' Use of Writing Software with Students with Learning Disabilities (PDF file only) - Paper Presentation, Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) International Conference, McLean, Virginia, 10.20-22.2006

2. Who's Using Technology: From Theory to Practice (JPEG - opens in the same window) - Poster Presentation, TED/TAM Conference, San Diego, California, 11.8-11.2006

Development of the AT online program

Kellar Instructional Handheld data (KIHd) System

The KIHd System is a simple and comprehensive data collection system appropriate for use in collecting discrete trial data with students with all disabilities. I have participated in the Beta testing of the system when I observed and supported teachers collecting data with the KHId system as well as collected data myself. Additionally, in collaboration with two other doctoral students I participated in writing a federal grant in order to support the continued testing of the system (the two-year grant has been awarded).

Products:
1. Kellar Instructional Handheld Data (KIHd) System (PDF File Only) - Poster Presentation, Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA) Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, 5.26-30.2006

Practical Outcomes of WordMaker Software for First Grade Students

While working in the first grade inclusion classrooms, I was the principle investigator in the study that examined the impact of the use of computer-assisted instruction (specifically WordMaker software program from Don Johnston Inc.) on students with different levels of reading ability. Of particular interest to me were the effects of WordMaker on the spelling performance of all first graders. In a short ten week period the WordMaker software program had positive impact on children’s decoding and spelling skills. Eighty-three percent of the students experienced gains between the pre and posttest scores. Two ability groups who benefited from using the program the most were children with identified disabilities and those with the above grade level abilities. Findings support that WordMaker is an effective complement to other activities associated with the first grade curriculum (e.g., spelling and decoding) and has the potential of significantly enhancing students’ reading and writing skills.

Products:
1. Considerations, Outcomes and Benefits of WordMaker Software for First Grade Students (PDF File)- Paper Presentation, Assistive Technology Industry (ATIA) Conference, Orlando, Florida, 01.18-21.2006

2. Jeffs, T., Evmenova, A., Warren, S., & Robin, R. (in press). An action research study of computer-assisted instruction within the first grade classroom (PDF File). Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 3(1). Retrieved May 1, 2007 from http://www.atia.org/atob/ATOBWeb/ATOBV3N1/index.htm