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Get the GIST: Autistic Students Using Blended Learning to Improve STEM Motivation

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Pennsylvania Convention Center, 121BC

Lecture presentation
Listen and learn: Research paper
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Research papers are a pairing of two 18 minute presentations followed by 18 minutes of Discussion led by a Discussant, with remaining time for Q & A.
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Presenters

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Assistant Professor of Special Education
North Carolina State University
Dr. Jamie Pearson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Educational Equity at North Carolina State University. Dr. Pearson earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she developed FACES (Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, and Support), a parent advocacy intervention for Black families raising autistic children. Dr. Pearson’s research focuses on: (a) disparities in autism identification, service access, and service utilization, (b) the impact of parent-advocacy and empowerment training on child and family outcomes, and (c) strategies to promote positive parent-professional partnerships between educators and historically marginalized communities.
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Research Assistant
North Carolina State University
Graduate student
@thefamilyfanatic
Jamie Pearson, PhD is the Co-Principal Investigator for this study and Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at North Carolina State University. Janelle Johnson, MA is a lead graduate research assistant and doctoral student in the Educational Equity program at North Carolina State University. Mariam Elias, MS is a graduate research assistant, lecturer, and doctoral student in the Engineering Technology and Education program at North Carolina State University. Jason Painter, PhD is the Principal Investigator for this study and Director of the Science House at North Carolina State University.
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North Carolina State University
Graduate student
Co-author: Jason Painter

Session description

Learn about research from year one of the Connecting Students With Autism to Geographic Information Science & Technology (CSA-GIST) study, an NSF-funded project. This program uses blended learning focused on drone piloting to increase autistic high school students’ motivation and interest in STEM majors and careers.

Framework

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a framework for understanding how individuals purposefully initiate and implement self-directed processes, such as time management and help-seeking, in learning environments. SRL encompasses three primary dimensions (cognition, motivation/affect, observable behavior) and is best understood by examining three phases of self-regulation (forethought, performance, self-reflection). Our focus on understanding the general dimensions of SRL among autistic students makes Zimmerman’s three-part framework and emphasis on principle and long-standing concepts appropriate.

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Methods

In this project, we explore the relationship between GIST career preparation and self-regulation among autistic high school students using a complementary, mixed-methods research design (Greene, 2007). Participants were selected by engaging school and community leaders who work with autistic students and their families. There was a particular focus on area public schools in two local school districts to increase the likelihood of a more diverse sample, particularly socioeconomic diversity, level of support needs, and race/ethnicity. Seventeen participants were recruited and enrolled in Cohort 1 of this study.

The four research questions are as follows:
RQ1: How do autistic high school students engage in self-regulation during online GIST instruction?
RQ2: What supports are needed during online and hybrid GIST instruction to build and sustain self-regulation among autistic high school students?

To examine the ways in which our participants engaged in self-regulation during online GIST instruction, and to identify the supports that are needed during online and hybrid GIST instruction to build and sustain self-regulation among autistic students, we conducted qualitative observations and semi-structured interviews. Following data collection, the interviews were transcribed verbatim, and assessed for accuracy. We are currently completing data analyses of observations and interviews using a constant comparative method, and we expect data analysis to be complete by November, 2022.

RQ3: How does hybrid GIST instruction influence career interest and awareness in GIST among autistic high school students?
RQ4: How does hybrid GIST instruction influence motivation for learning among autistic high school students?

To examine the extent to which GIST instruction influences career interest and awareness regarding GIST among autistic high school students, we administered the Monitoring the Impact of STEM Outreach (MISO) Student Attitudes Towards STEM (S-STEM) Survey. To examine the ways in which hybrid GIST instruction influences motivation for learning among autistic high school students, we administered the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). We also conducted semi-structured interviews to explore student attitudes and motivation. The pre/post survey was administered prior to the first GIST session of Year 1, and again following the completion of the summer session (i.e., at the end of Year 1) for the first cohort of participants. All data are currently being analyzed and expected to be complete by November 2022. The survey data will be analyzed via descriptive statistics to describe demographics and explore preliminary findings. Given the small sample size, we employed nonparametric statistics (i.e, Wilcoxon) to discern within-group differences before and after the GIST project activities.

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Results

Data collection is complete for year one of Cohort 1. Data analyses are ongoing and expected to be complete by November 2022. Our preliminary analyses indicate (a) specific strategies for self-regulation skills among program participants, (b) barriers and facilitators to support student self-regulation during GIST instruction, and (c) positive preliminary outcomes related to motivation and STEM career interests for GIST participants.

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Importance

U.S. business and policy leaders have made it a priority to increase the number of students who pursue STEM careers. Yet, one source of STEM talent is often overlooked: young autistic people. Autistic adolescents are a particularly underserved group within an underrepresented group; that is, people with disabilities. Autistic teens are less likely to attend college or find work than their peers. However, when autistic students defy the odds and enter collegiate degree programs, STEM disciplines emerge as preferred areas of study. Wei and colleagues’ analysis of a nationally-representative data set for autistic students revealed that 34.3% of autistic college students selected STEM majors, with 12% picking science and 16% entering computer science. Notably, movement into STEM majors is higher among autistic college students (34.3%) than for the general population (22.8%), including for science and computer science sub-disciplines. Thus, autistic students are less likely to attend college than their non-disabled peers, but when they do enter a postsecondary degree program, they are more likely to earn STEM workforce credentials and enter corresponding careers. Therefore, restructuring learning to foreground evidence-based practices such as modeling, prompting, task analysis, and self-regulation, in combination with exposure to innovative technologies (mini drones, simulation software, mapping software) will support autistic youth to be motivated, inspired, and prepared to continue along STEM education and career paths. Further, our scholarship will advance the research frontier by facilitating insight into theoretical constructs around self-regulation and connecting conceptual ideas to best practices in STEM education.

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References

Anderson, K. A., McDonald, T. A., Edsall, D., Smith, L. E., & Taylor, J. L. (2016). Postsecondary Expectations of High-School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 16–26.

Basham, J. D., & Marino, M. T. (2013). Understanding STEM Education and Supporting Students through Universal Design for Learning. Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(4), 8–15.

Dunn, C., Rabren, K. S., Taylor, S. L., & Dotson, C. K. (2012). Assisting Students With High-Incidence Disabilities to Pursue Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(1), 47–54.

Gottfried, M. A., Bozick, R., Rose, E., & Moore, R. (2016). Does Career and Technical Education Strengthen the STEM Pipeline? Comparing Students With and Without Disabilities.

Greene, J. C. (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. Jossey-Bass.

McKeithan, G. K. (2016). Interventions employed in regular education settings for secondary students with high functioning autism: A meta-analysis (Order No. 10583488). Available from Education Database. (1882177975).

Rogers, A., Castree, N., & Kitchin, R. (2013). A Dictionary of Human Geography (Oxford Quick Reference) (1st ed.). Oxford University Press.

Stamp, L., Banerjee, M., & Brown, F. C. (2014). Self-advocacy and perceptions of college readiness among students with ADHD. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 27(2), 139 –160.

Tai, R. H., Liu, C. Q., Maltese, A. V., & Fan, X. (2006). Planning early for careers in science. Science, 312, 1143–1144

Wei, X., Yu, J. W., Shattuck, P., & Blackorby, J. (2017). High School Math and Science Preparation and Postsecondary STEM Participation for Students With an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 32(2), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/108835761558848

Zimmerman B. J., Schunk D. H. (2011). Handbook of Self-Regulation of Learning and Performance. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Session specifications

Topic:
Equity and inclusion
Grade level:
9-12
Audience:
Curriculum/district specialists, Teachers, Teacher education/higher ed faculty
Attendee devices:
Devices useful
Attendee device specification:
Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows
Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC
Tablet: Android, iOS, Windows
Subject area:
Special education, STEM/STEAM
ISTE Standards:
For Educators:
Leader
  • Advocate for equitable access to educational technology, digital content and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all students.
Designer
  • Use technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs.
Analyst
  • Provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate competency and reflect on their learning using technology.