Research Matters Webinar Series - Single Subject Research

WEBINAR TITLE:  Single Subject Research

PRESENTERS:
NCTI presenter:         Tracy Gray, Director at the American Institutes for Research  -  BIOGRAPHY

Guest presenters:     Scott Renner, Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Innovation at the Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service  -  BIOGRAPHY
                                      Margaret Flores, Associate Professor at Auburn University  -  BIOGRAPHY
                                      Doris Hill, Coordinator of Educational and Community Supports at the Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service   -  BIOGRAPHY


DATE:  Monday. July 25, 2011

TIME:  1:00 - 2:30 PM Eastern Time

Overview:   Join the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) and the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) in a conversation about conducting and learning from single subject research. In this webinar, you will be introduced to the recently launched Assistive Technology Research Matters research primer for your use in informed decision-making about research. Scott Renner, Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Innovation, Margaret Flores, Associate Professor, Auburn University, and Doris Hill, Coordinator of Educational and Community Supports, will share how they conducted research on augmentative communication for students with autism, delivered on an iPad app.

Single subject research is a study which aims to examine whether an intervention has the intended effect on an individual, or on many individuals viewed as one group. The two most common single subject research designs are the A-B-A-B design, and multiple baseline design. Each of these designs has two main components: (1) a focus on the individual and (2) a design in which each individual is used as his or her own control observation. The focus on the individual differs from other research designs, such as experimental and quasi-experimental designs, which look at the average effect of an intervention within or between groups of people. In single subject research, researchers often use more than one individual, but results are examined by using each individual as his or her own control, rather than averaging results of different groups. Comparisons are made on the behavior of one individual to that same individual at a different point in time.

Single subject research has an important role to play in identifying and documenting solutions for individuals with disabilities. The field needs much more evidence on what works for whom, under what conditions, for which tasks, etc. Although individuals with disabilities—even those with the same diagnosis—often experience unique needs, solutions may be adaptable in different environments, and knowledge sharing can inform others working on assistive solutions.

Who should attend?

Sales and design staff of learning and assistive technology companies interested in understanding the power of research to answer key questions about their consumers and natural use settings.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1.    Identify relevant resources on research, funding, and real-world examples of single subject research in the online Assistive Technology Research Matters research primer.
2.    Describe the process of developing a good research question and effective design.
3.    Describe the process of collecting the results of the study, including providing visual analysis of the data.


  ACCESS RECORDING FOR THE WEBINAR 
     


Biography for Tracy Gray, Director,  National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI); Managing Director, American Institutes for Research:
Tracy Gray is the Managing Director at the American Institutes for Research and directs the Center on STEM Education and Innovation that focuses on research and technical assistance to increase the pipeline for struggling students in STEM-related fields of study. In addition, Dr. Gray leads two national technology centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) — the National Center for Technology Innovation (www.NationalTechCenter.org) and the Center for Technology Implementation. These Centers promote the development and implementation of evidence-based technology practices and tools to improve the educational achievement of students with disabilities. She also serves as the Director for the Microsoft Math Partnership (www.mathpartnership.org) that provides technical assistance to teachers, administrators, and coaches of mathematics to implement high quality technology-enriched programs for middle school students.

Dr. Gray is a nationally recognized expert in education and technology who has led numerous initiatives in the United States and abroad that examine the impact of technology on educational achievement. She has published and lectured widely on issues related to the effective implementation of technology, particularly for those with special needs. Prior to joining AIR, she led the philanthropic initiatives to integrate technology in after school programs as the Vice President for Youth Services at the Morino Institute. In the Clinton Administration, she served as the first Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Corporation for National Service that launched AmeriCorps throughout the United States. Earlier, Dr. Gray served as the Deputy Director for the first American Red Cross AIDS Public Education program. In 2008, she served as a judge for the International Imagine Cup, sponsored by Microsoft that brings together more than 1000 students from around the world to compete on technology-related projects. In 2009 and 2010, she was selected as one of the international judges for the Tech Museum Awards to Benefit Humanity. She is co-editor with Dr. Heidi Silver-Pacuilla of the upcoming book "Breakthrough Learning - Advancing Educational Innovation with Assistive Technology" which will focus on innovations in teacher and learning to be published by Springer Publications in Spring 2011.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Researchers in the Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service recently earned one of the 2010 Bright Ideas Awards presented by the National Center for Technology Innovation.  Scott Renner, Margaret Flores and Kate Racoff received their award at the 2010 Tech Expo held during the NCTI Innovators Conference in November in Washington, D.C.

Their presentation, “Increasing Communication and Social Skills Using the iPad," demonstrated how the devices can be used to address the communication and behavioral needs of students with developmental disabilities.  They found that the incorporation of iPads helped students become more communicative and adopt more socially appropriate behavior. The devices also enabled students to receive more efficient instruction from educators.


Biography for Scott Renner, Coordinator of Assistive Technology and Innovation, Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service:
Scott Renner earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana and a Master’s in Social Work from Grambling State University.  Prior to his position at the Center for Disability Research and Service, he worked five years serving persons with disabilities as the Director of the Montgomery Center for Independent Living. Prior to that Scott worked as the Information and Training Specialist for the State Tech Act Program STAR.  He has been at the Center since January 2010.  He is involved in planning the annual Alabama Assistive Technology Expo and Conference at Auburn University and a collaboration project with The Department of Industrial and Graphic Design and The Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling. The collaboration between the departments is a result of a recognized need to design and develop assistive technology devices. The collaborative project between Rehabilitation and Industrial Design offers students an invaluable opportunity to work with clients with disabilities while generating fresh design solutions.  He is also responsible for the Assistive Technology Demonstration lab at the center.

Biography for Margaret Flores, Associate Professor, Auburn University, Center Affiliate, Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service:
Dr. Margaret M. Flores is an Associate Professor within the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, & Counseling at Auburn University. Dr. Flores has worked in the field of special education for 15 years serving students with disabilities as a practitioner and researcher. As a special education teacher, she taught students with disabilities in self-contained, resource, and inclusive settings. Dr. Flores earned her doctoral degree from Georgia State University in Education of Students with Exceptionalities and taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio prior joining the faculty at Auburn University. Dr. Flores’ research interests include language and reading comprehension instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.

Biography for Doris Hill, Coordinator of Educational and Community Supports, Auburn University Center for Disability Research and Service:
Dr. Hill earned an undergraduate in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s of Behavioral Science from Cameron University. After a career in the United States Army, where she attained the rank of major, she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and taught students with autism spectrum disorder in Celebration, Florida.  She graduated from AU with a PhD in Collaborative Special Education with a focus in Autism/Behavior Disorders in 2009. She Joined the Center for Disability Research and Service in January 2011.