Overview of Students with Disabilities as Diverse Learners (SDDL) Study
- General Information: The SDDL is a federally funded project administered by the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai‘i to provide Professional Development and evaluation to university faculty in three areas: (a) Universal Design for Learning (UDL), (b) Multiculturalism or Cultural Diversity, and (c) Mentoring.
- Initial Contact: University of Hawai‘i Faculty members (including lecturers and graduate assistants) who agree to participate in the study will receive an email from Steve Brown, SDDL project coordinator, that includes a:
a.Faculty Consent Form, which must be signed and returned.
b.Note that Scott Bowditch or another staff member will work with you to determine on which project area you will focus.
c.Note that Shelli McDow will coordinate a time to observe your class(es).
d.Schedule of upcoming trainings.
e.Discussion of compensation. NOTE THAT PARTICIPATING FACULTY MAY CHOOSE TO RECEIVE $250 OR OTHER COMPENSATION OF EQUAL VALUE. Other benefits of participation include free professional development that may lead to improved instructional ability, course evaluations, and student learning.
- Observations and Student Surveys:
a.Pre-observation: Before participating in training, an SDDL team member briefly explains project to students in your class (app. 2 mins.), asks students to provide informed consent to participate (i.e., to complete survey and provide anonymous access to grades), and provides a survey regarding their feelings on the instruction used in class to students who agree to participate (app. 7-10 mins.). Then SDDL team members will observe class and complete observation forms regarding the instructional techniques observed. Observers will sit quietly in the back of the room and not disrupt class.
b.Post-observations: After participating in training, SDDL team members will visit your class once and once each during the subsequent two semesters. Observation and student surveys will be conducted as described for Pre-observation.
- Trainings: Participating faculty members attend training(s) in their assigned area. Trainings last app. 1.5 to 3 hours and are offered in face-to-face, live webinar, and archived webinar formats.
5. FacultySurveys: Participating faculty will complete a survey before training, immediately after training, 6 months after training, and 12 months after training that examines attitudes, knowledge, and use of instructional strategies associated with the program area of focus.
Please contact Kelly Roberts, SDDL Project Coordinator, at or 956-0996 if you have questions or would like more information about participating in the SDDL study.
August 2010