CAMP + U Research Study Overview
Summary
The CAMP +U is a collaborative project that seeks to empower students with learning differences in higher education. These differences span from specific learning disabilities to conditions such as attention deficits, sensory processing disorders, and executive function challenges. The Camp +U aims to support students with learning differences, and students with learning differences who are from indigenous backgrounds and from underrepresented communities, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, to succeed in higher education. This will be achieved through an innovative, 10-hour self-directed online training that was designed to equip and enhance faculty, staff, and administrator interactions to proactively design higher education spaces with diversity in mind to better engage these students. Topics in the 5 modules include disability awareness, Universal Design for Learning, educational technology to support learner agency, strategies to strengthen classroom belonging and community, and sensory integration. By fostering self-awareness, shifting attitudes, and increasing familiarity with inclusive practices, the project aims to cultivate belonging on our college campuses and ensure student success.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to unlock a deeper understanding of how the principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity enrich the fabric of higher education and society as a whole. In particular, the project aims to:
- Shift the perceptions of higher education faculty and administrators, encouraging them to embrace students with disabilities and indigenous students with learning differences in their classes while valuing diversity in attitudes and behaviors.
- Increase faculty and administrators’ proficiency by fostering an understanding of how to design with diversity in mind.
Description of the CAMP + U research requirements at opt-in levels
Participation in the research is voluntary, and there are different levels of involvement with varying requirements and time commitments. You can opt for none, some, or all of the research components. You can stop participating at any time.
Pre-evaluation:
- Faculty survey: The survey will consist of 43 multiple choice questions. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. The survey is accessed on a secure website to which we will provide you a link.
- Student survey: The survey will consist of 38 multiple choice questions. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. The survey is accessed on a secure website to which we will provide you a link.
- Photovoice: You are asked to capture any objects (e.g., course materials, technology, resources) and classroom practices (e.g., teaching strategies, classroom environment, teacher-student relationship) that illustrate your feelings and experiences on accessibility, inclusion and sense of belonging in the classroom. Upload your photos to a Padlet. You can post anonymously or using your name. Your name will not be used in our study. Write a short story or a caption for each photo on Padlet that describes the meaning to you and its connection to your feelings about accessibility, inclusion and sense of belonging. There is no limit to the number of photos you want to include in your Padlet.
Observation:
- Project staff will observe in classrooms identified by faculty and where students will then be recruited to participate in the surveys and photovoice.
Post-evaluation:
- Faculty survey: same as pre-evaluation
- Student survey: same as pre-evaluation
- Focus group with students (4-6 participants per FG): The focus group discussion will be guided by about 5 open ended questions. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour. The focus group will be audio-recorded for transcribing purposes.
- Focus group with faculty: The focus group discussion will be guided by about 5 open ended questions. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour. The focus group will be audio-recorded for transcribing purposes.
CAMP + U Research Study Options At-A-Glance
Option 1: PD ONLY
Audience: Faculty
Research Requirements:
- Pre/post-evaluation surveys and Research intro.
- Photovoice submission (Optional)
- FGs with faculty (Optional)
Option 2: PD and Observation
Audience: Faculty & Students
Research Requirements:
- Pre-evaluation surveys and Research intro for faculty:
- Pre-evaluation surveys and Photovoice method intro for students: on the 2nd day of classes (to make sure all/most enrolled students are present). Online surveys will include consent in the beginning of the survey. Photovoice consent can be handed out when introduced to students. Those who are interested in participating should return it by the next class meeting.
- Observations: if summer classes are held every day, then once a week
- Post-evaluation surveys: on the 2nd to the last day of classes (not all students may come to the final class) Online surveys will include consent in the beginning of the survey.
- Photovoice submission (Optional)
- FGs with faculty (Optional)
- FC with Students (Optional)
