Parent Informed Consent Form 
  
You are being asked to give consent for your child to participate in a doctoral dissertation research study being conducted by Gerald Ardito, Candidate at Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science. The study will be conducted between the beginning of the school year and December 31, 2009.  This research project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Pace University, and by the Principal of the Gardner Pilot Academy. If you have questions about your child’s rights as a subject in this study, please contact Dr. Brian Evans, Pace University, 163 Williams Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038, (212) 346-1248. Gerald’s advisor for this research is Dr. Sandra Flank, Professor, Pace University, Pace University, 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York 10570, (914) 773-3653. 
  
Purpose of the Study: 
Your child is being asked to participate in a research study that is investigating the use of the Sugar software and how these tools can help to reshape the classroom learning environment, especially in promoting student autonomy and ownership. 
  
How the Study Will Work: 
Each child will receive Sugar on a Stick to use during the school year, and will be trained to use it. His/her teachers will incorporate the use of this software into the school curricula and projects. (This is true whether your child participates in the study or not. Your consent means that we will collect data on your child’s use of the device). During the period of the study, a set of data will be collected. 
  
The researcher and the teachers will speak with the students in school to tell them about this research study and to ask their willingness to participate in it. We also ask that you discuss this study with your child. 
  
Data to be Collected: 
The students will be surveyed at the beginning of the study to determine their experience with various learning and other technologies. They will be surveyed again at the end to determine any progress made. In addition during the study, classroom observations will be performed, which may include audio and/or videotaping. At the end of the study, a sample of students will be interviewed to examine in more depth the impact the devices and their software may have had on their learning. Lastly, we will examine some samples of student work to aid in our assessment of the Sugar on a Stick program. 
  
Anticipated Risks: 
There are no known risks and/or discomforts associated with this study. The Sugar software will be incorporated into the students’ learning environment and assignments. 
  
Anticipated Benefits: 
This research will be the first project directly investigating the role of these devices and their software in re-shaping the learning environment and in determining whether students develop ownership over their own learning and the classroom environment itself. By participating in this study, these students and their teachers will be advancing our understanding of the use of a unique technology in an educational setting. 

Your Rights, Privacy, and Welfare: 
  
•              Confidentiality of your child’s research records will be strictly maintained through the use of pseudonyms and secured storage of your child’s personal information.  Only pseudonyms will appear in the researcher’s field log and other records.  Your child’s name will appear on this consent form. Only the researcher will see consent forms. These consent forms will be kept in a locked cabinet, and only the researcher has a key to this cabinet. Pseudonyms will be used on all other papers.  You will not be identified in any published report.  All study data will be destroyed three years after the completion of my dissertation. 
•              Your child may also be audio or video taped during various school activities. You may review these tapes and request that all or any portion of the tapes be destroyed. 
•              You are free to withdraw or to stop your child being a part of this research study at any time.  If you decide not to participate or to be part of this research study, your consent form will be destroyed and all of your audio and/or videotapes will be erased.  Your child’s identity will remain confidential if you choose to withdraw from or to stop being part of this research study.  No one will know that your child was a part of this research study. 
•              Your child’s participation in this study is completely voluntary. Refusal to participate will have no consequences of any kind. 
•              If you have any questions or concerns about this research study now or at any time in the future, please contact Gerald Ardito at the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, 3 Glen Place, Croton on Hudson, New York, (914) 271-2191 extension 515. 
  
Agreement to Participation 
  
I have read this consent form and I understand that my child will be part of this research study.   I understand the procedures to be used in this research study.  I freely and voluntarily choose for my child to participate.  I understand that I may discontinue his/her participation at any time without penalty. 
  
Student Participant Name (Print) ____________________________________ 
  
Parent/Guardian Name (Print)     ____________________________________ 
  
Parent/Guardian Signature               _____________________________________________________ 
  
Date _________________