The University of New Mexico Main Campus IRB

Consent to Participate in Research

What was I thinking?

Introduction

You are being asked to participate in a research study that is being done by YOUR NAME, who is the Principal Investigator and Frances Vitali, Ph.D, from the Department of Teacher Education. This research is studying how students and teachers in Tibbetts Middle Schooll are utilizing laptop computers for educational and recreational use.

Farmington Municpal School (FMS) in New Mexico has distributed laptop computers for each middle school student for use at home and in school. The impact of computer use as a case study will help understand how students are using computers in learning; how teachers are using it as a learning tool; and what new dynamics result from this intersection of technology, teacher and students. Interviews with students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will be conducted and teachers in grades 6, 7 and 8 will also be interviewed about their teaching experiences. School administrators and FMS technology webmasters and coordinators will also be interviewd about the process and progress of the first year of schoolwide implementation of laptop computers within the district.

You are being asked to participate in this study because your child is a student in Tibbetts Middle School. Students, teachers, school and district adminstrator people will take part in this study at the University of New Mexico.

This form will explain the research study, and will also explain the possible risks as well as the possible benefits to you. We encourage you to talk with your family and friends before you decide to take part in this research study. If you have any questions, please ask one of the study investigators.

What will happen if I decide to participate?

If you agree to participate, the following things will happen:

How long will I be in this study?

Participation in this study will take a total of one hour k hours over a period of four weeks.

What are the risks of being in this study?

· There are no foreseeable risks, or discomforts involved in the implementation of this practitioner research that doesn’t already exist in the natural process of classroom learning.

· There are risks of stress, emotional distress, inconvenience and possible loss of privacy and confidentiality associated with participating in a research study.

For more information about risks, ask one of the study investigators.

What are the benefits to being in this study?

Frances says: PASTE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS AND/OR SOCIETY from old Consent form enter here.

What other choices do I have if I do not want to be in this study?

Frances says: Students who do not wish to participate in this practitioner research will be given other assignments and activities of comparable level and content.

How will my information be kept confidential?

We will take measures to protect your privacy and the security of all your personal information, but we cannot guarantee confidentiality of all study data.

Information contained in your study records is used by study staff and, in some cases it will be shared with the sponsor of the study. The University of New Mexico Main Campus IRB that oversees human subject research, will be permitted to access your records. There may be times when we are required by law to share your information. However, your name will not be used in any published reports about this study.

Frances says: Add CONFIDENTIALITY from old Consent Form here.

What are the costs of taking part in this study?

Students participating in this practitioner research will not receive any method of payment for their participation.

What will happen if I am injured or become sick because I took part in this study?

No commitment is made by the University of New Mexico (UNM) to provide free medical care or money for injuries to participants in this study. If you are injured or become sick as a result of this study, UNM will provide you with emergency treatment, at your cost. It is important for you to tell one of the study investigators immediately if you have been injured or become sick because of taking part in this study. If you have any questions about these issues, or believe that you have been treated carelessly in the study, please contact the Main Campus IRB Office at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, (505) 277-0067 for more information.

Will I be paid for taking part in this study?

Frances says: Students participating in this practitioner research will not receive any method of payment for their participation.

How will I know if you learn something new that may change my mind about participating?

You will be informed of any significant new findings that become available during the course of the study, such as changes in the risks or benefits resulting from participating in the research or new alternatives to participation that might change your mind about participating.

Can I stop being in the study once I begin?

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You have the right to choose not to participate or to withdraw your participation at any point in this study without affecting your future health care or other services to which you are entitled.

Frances says add: If you volunteer to participate, you may withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you might otherwise be entitled. You may also refuse to answer any questions you do not want to answer and still remain in the research project.

Whom can I call with questions or complaints about this study?

If you have any questions, concerns or complaints at any time about the research study, Frances Vitali, Ph.D. , or his/her associates will be glad to answer them at 505 566-3480. If you need to contact someone after business hours or on weekends, please call 505 330 1536 and ask for Frances Vitali. If you would like to speak with someone other than the research team in regards to any complaints you have about the study, you may call the UNM IRB at (505) 277-0067.

Whom can I call with questions about my rights as a research subject?

If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, you may call the UNM IRB at (505) 277-0067. The IRB is a group of people from UNM and the community who provide independent oversight of safety and ethical issues related to research involving human subjects. For more information, you may also access the IRB website at http://hsc.unm.edu/som/research/HRRC/maincampusirbhome.shtml.

Consent

You are making a decision whether to participate (or to have your child participate) in this study. Your signature below indicates that you read the information provided (or the information was read to you). By signing this consent form, you are not waiving any of your (your child's) legal rights as a research subject.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I have had an opportunity to ask questions and all questions have been answered to my satisfaction. By signing this consent form, I agree to participate (or let my child participate) in this study. A copy of this consent form will be provided to you.

_____________________________ __________________________/_______

Name of Adult Subject (type or print) Signature of Adult Subject Date

I have explained the research to the subject and answered all of his/her questions. I believe that he/she understands the information in this consent form and freely consents to participate.

______________________________ _________________________/ __________

Name of Investigator/ Signature of Investigator/ Date

Research Team Member Research Team Member