Debi

__ Determine the significance of your study. __ There is a gap in the research that explores the training available to individuals with late in life visual impairments or low vision and their adapability using assistive and general use technologies which aids in maintaining and making connections in their personal and career experiences. This study will collect data from individuals with low vision who have been able to participate in general use technology training and their perceptions of using technology to maintain and make connections in conjunction with their adapting to functioning with low vision. As education becomes more technology based the audience will broaden. All individuals can benefit from educational technology because it takes away some of the limitations that might have been associated with face to face education. Providing an example of how educational technology has a positive effect on education outside of the typical classroom reinforces the potential of the advancement of technolgoy and education. This study looks specifically at the benefits to individuals who are adjusting to late in life low vision and their ability through using technology to continue to be active and meaningful participants in their personal, social, and economic groups. To be members of groups with dignity and a feeling of continued self worth.
 * Module 5: **After the Data Is Collected: What Then?
 * How will y our study fill a gap in the current research?**
 * How will your research advance the profession of educational technology? **
 * How will your research effect positive social change through the "improvement of human or social conditions by promoting the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, or socieites" (Walden Dissertation Rubric). **

__ Decide on the best way to disseminate your research. __ 1. Journal of Education and Technology. It is important to spread an information like this to many areas. Educational technology is one are that can embrace the knowledge of how technology can benefit all people. 2. Journal of Vision Impairment and Blindness. This is specifically for the audience and the population that the study is intended for; however, it should not be the only group that benefits from understanding the adjustment to low vision. 3. Adult Education Quarterly. Another important area that could benefit from these types of studies. Although not a conference I would like to be part of the dissertation board group that displays during residencies. It would provide some experience and build confidence. The experience would aid in better awareness for participating in other conferences. Possibly the ISTE conference it is an international experience and both variables of the study are world wide. This would provide knowledge about opportunities and experiences through shared experiences.
 * Identify and justify your selection of three journals to which you would like to submit an article on this research. **
 * Identify and justify your selection of two professional conferences where you would like to present your research.**

**Research Paradigms: Methodologies and Traditions** "Rich and Descriptive" (Leo, class participant) || Can be affected by the data collectors invasion into a group. || Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological Research Methods. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Ricoeur, P. (1967). Husserl: An analysis of his phenomenology. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press. || Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content Analysis: an introduction to its methodology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ||
 * Module 4: **
 * Complete a table on three possible methodologies that fit your research questions.
 * Complete a table on the method of data collection for your study.
 * Method || Strengths || Limitations || authoritative source ||
 * Mixed Methods || Uses both methods to identify and understanding || It can be difficult to truly identify each part of the study method. Accordingly, it can be longer and more detailed requiring more time. || Tahakkori, A. & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2010). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ||
 * Phenomenology || Social research
 * Content Analysis || Identifying key concepts and placing a numerical value on them. || A word or concept may not have equal meaning so although key concepts may be indentified they still not be intended as equal in meaning. || Weber, R.P. (1990). Basic content analysis (2nd ed.) Series: Quantitative applications in social sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.


 * Research Question || Methodology || Type of Data ||
 * What are the perceptions of adults with late in life onset of low vision to learning to use general technology devices and programs to maintain connections socially and economically? || Phenomenology || Collection of personal reflection. ||
 * In what ways does general use technologies affectively impact the connections made and maintained by adults who are adjusting to low vision. || Mixed Methods ||  ||
 * What concepts of maintaining connections and forming new connections for individual adults adjusting to low vision are prevelant in general use technologies? || Content Analysis || data collection and concept analysis. ||

**Gap in the Research: ** What is low vision? What types of sight encompasses low vision? Understand and identify what low vision encompasses. 1**.** Description of barriers adults with late onset low vision have encountered as they moved from full vision to partial vision. 2. Economic Barriers 3. Social Barriers and Interaction Barriers. 4. Examine the barriers in communication technologies. The prior areas will look at studies about barriers adults and individuals with low vision have encountered.
 * Module 3: What Questions Should We Be Asking? **
 * There is evidence that availability of resources of all types can help adults with low vision adjust and move past the barriers that do exist and may seem in their way. **
 * There have been many studies that do not include looking at the technology, mainstream technology training that some programs are incorporating and the perceptions of the participants as to the results and benefits of learning to use technology, adjusted in a manner that works with their vision and the ability to stay connected. **
 * One of Many Gaps: **
 * There is not significant understanding of the training and use of technology by the increasing number of adults adjusting to low vision and their continued connectedness to their relations socially and economically. **
 * Research Questions: **
 * What is the benefit of using online sources and technology devices for adults with low vision to stay connected socially and economically? **
 * What barrier exist with the knowledge and use of technology and the individuals participating in a training program? **
 * Would communication made through online channels aid in the relational challenges that adults with low visoin might forsee? **
 * Problem Statement: **
 * There is a gap in the literature regarding the training, if needed, and the use of technology to maintain and form connections socially and economically by adults who are adjusting to late in life low vision. **
 * Theory: **
 * Connectivism (Seimens)q **
 * MODULE 2:** Literature Review
 * Five Research Areas of Interest**
 * Low visions/Adults with low vision**
 * Barriers:**

5. How individuals are maintaining connections. 6. How adults with low vision are forming new connections socially. 7. How adults with late onset low vision are forming new connections that provide continued participation in career and economic endeavors. Statements 5,6,7. This area will look at studies that look at human and networking connections in relation to the theory of Connectionsim. Studies that show how learning/adjusting is advantageous when connections are made through moving through knowing. The process of knowing about to learning how to to, and where to connect, then applying those to a state of being.
 * Connections**

8. Describe perceptions of adjustments to low vision in communication and connections.The process of adapting to daily life with low vision. Adjusting to work and career.
 * Adjusting**

9. Examine the types of collaborative groups and networks adults with low vision connect with as they adjust to late in life vision loss. Types of learning persons with low vision perceive as vital for continued success. What collaboration has provided to adjusting to low vision. I am interested in designing and planning distance instructional forums for adults with late onset low vision that provide guidance in learning new or adapting generally used technological devices that allows continued success in social and career communication.
 * Collaboration and Learning with low vision.**
 * MODULE 1:**
 * Research Interests**

Take two: Trying to move the interests from a program perspective to a dissertation perspective. I am interested in the perceptions and descriptions adults who participate in a county program have on their struggles and successes as they adjust to low vision and learn or adapt their mainstream technologies to contined participation and communication in their economic and social environments.

Based on the readings there are elements of several theoretical foundations that constitute the underpinnings of success in understanding and implementing a program that provides an opportunity for collaboration while adjusting and adapting to low vision in adulthood. Thus, utilizing technology for continued successful communication in economic and social environments.
 * Theoretical** **Foundations**

Constructivsim: "that knowledge is constructed by learners as they attempt to make sense of their experiences", (Driscoll, p. 387). "Knowledge and use" of devices and abilities will come through interactions and experiences that are positive or provide meaningful reinforcement (Spector, p. 15). Human Computer Interaction Communications theory: "The wide spread and multi use ability of computers with humans expands and growing. This allows "interacting and continued success" in social and economic participation. (p. 23). Connectionism: The connection human and network that adults make during the process of adaption from fully sighted to low vision and how these connections are impacting their continued success. Looked at Complex theory: This seems huge, the entities that are involved could fit some of the elements, but I think this would go beyond designing and implementing a supportive forum for collaborative learning.

Experiential learning based on the 4 elements of Kolb (page 35).

Driscoll, M.P. (2005). // Psychology of learning for instruction // (3rd ed). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Spector, J.M., Merriall, M.D. Merrienboer, J.V., & Driscoll, M.P. (Eds.). (2008). //Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (3rd ed.).// New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.