Email: [email protected] The Principal XXXXX School XXXXX address 14 Aug 2010 Dear XXXX
Educational leadership in eLearning clusters – a stereoscopic perspective of instructional and distributed leadership
I am currently enrolled at the University of Canterbury as a student in the Master of Education (MEd) programme. This letter is a follow-up to a recent phone call seeking your permission to interview teacher(s) from your school in order to find out how educational leadership operates within and across two eLearning clusters. I am undertaking this research project for a thesis under the supervision of Prof. Niki Davis and Jan Daley, both of the University of Canterbury.
The working title of my project is, “Educational leadership in eLearning clusters – a stereoscopic perspective of instructional and distributed leadership.” This project is designed to investigate educational leadership in eLearning clusters that is focused on providing and enhancing quality eTeaching and eLearning. The aim is to tell the stories of ePrincipals and others involved in the leadership with respect to their emerging roles, responsibilities and relationships. I hope to be able to identify effective leadership practices within and across eLearning clusters. The findings will be published as a MEd thesis at the University of Canterbury and may be useful as a reflective tool for eLearning clusters in their future development.
As Principal of XXXX School, I seek your consent to come onto your school site and conduct interview(s) with teacher(s) employed by your school in a private office for approximately 45-60 minutes duration per interview. With the teacher’s permission, the interview will be recorded so that I can refer to their responses to ensure my data analysis is accurate. However if this is not acceptable then I will take written notes during the interview. Ideally the interview will take place at your school (or by videoconference) at a time and date that is mutually acceptable, and preferably before mid-September 2010.
Please note that participation in this study is voluntary. If your teacher(s) do participate, they have the right to decline to answer any questions and to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. If they withdraw, I will do my best to remove any information relating to them, provided this is practically achievable. Particular care will be made to ensure confidentiality of all data gathered for this study and to ensure the anonymity of all participants and their school/cluster in all publications of the findings. All data is to be securely stored in password protected facilities and/or locked storage at the researcher’s private residence for up to five years following the study and will then be destroyed. All participants will receive a report on the findings of this study.
The Educational Research Human Ethics Committee has reviewed and approved this project. The
University requires that all participants be informed that if they have any complaint concerning the manner in which a research project is conducted, it may be given to the researcher, or, if an independent person is preferred, to:
The Chairperson
Educational Research Human Ethics Committee University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800 Christchurch
If you have any questions about this research at any stage, please do not hesitate to contact me or either of my supervisors. Our contact details are:
Researcher:
Kerry Stevens
Phone: 03 693 7442 or 021 043 6651 Email: [email protected]
Postal: 435 Winchester-Geraldine Road, RD21, Geraldine 7991
Supervisors:
Prof. Niki Davis
Professor of E-Learning College of Education University of Canterbury Phone: 03 345 8246 Email: [email protected] Jan Daley
Senior Lecturer & Co-ordinator Educational Leadership Qualifications College of Education
University of Canterbury Phone: 03 345 8248
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for your consideration of my request to participate in this research project. If you understand the requirements and agree to participate in this study, please complete and sign the attached Declaration of Consent form and return it to me in the enclosed self-addressed envelope as soon as possible (and before 28 Aug 2010). Thank you in advance for your participation and contribution to this research.
Yours sincerely
DECLARATION OF CONSENT – Principals of Teacher Participants
I consent to teacher(s) from XXXX School participating in the research project, “Educational leadership in eLearning clusters – a stereoscopic perspective of instructional and distributed leadership” under the conditions outlined below.
I have read and understood the information provided to me concerning the research project and what will be required of me if I participate in the project.
In particular, I understand that:
my participation in the project is voluntary - I may withdraw from the project at any time without incurring any penalty and if I withdraw the researcher will take all practical steps to remove information related to me from the study;
my teacher’s involvement comprises participating in an interview of approximately 45-60 minutes duration regarding educational leadership in eLearning clusters and that the researcher may need access to my school to conduct the interview;
the interview will be recorded in order for the researcher to check accuracy of the answers and that any stage the teacher can ask for the recording to be stopped;
all data is to be securely stored in password protected facilities and/or locked storage at the researcher’s private residence for up to five years following the study and will then be destroyed;
the information provided to the researcher will be treated as confidential and that no findings that could identify either my teacher(s) or my school/cluster will be published;
the findings will be published in a MEd thesis at the University of Canterbury and that a summary of the findings will be provided to all participants;
if I have any questions about this research at any stage, I should contact the researcher (Kerry Stevens) or either of his supervisors (Prof. Niki Davis and Jan Daley, both at the University of Canterbury); and
any complaints I may have regarding this research may be made to:
The Chairperson, Educational Research Human Ethics Committee, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch or email: [email protected]
Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________
Signed: ___________________________ email: _________________________________
If you agree to teacher(s) at your school participating, please complete and sign this consent form as soon as you are able to and return it in the enclosed self-addressed envelope on or before 28 Aug 2010 to:
Kerry Stevens
435 Winchester-Geraldine Road RD21