Synthesis of Research

The purpose of this section is to summarize research that relates to the professional development of faculty and administrators to assure equal access for students with disabilities in their courses. Selected research areas were developed through a literature review and collaboration with 23 DO-IT Prof project team members. The Implications for Practice section for each topic area shows how the specific body of research can be applied to create an effective professional development program.

The body of research shared in this section provides the foundation for the presentation content and delivery strategies included in other sections of this notebook. The suggestions in the sections entitled Presentation Tips and Presentations are also based on this body of knowledge. Professional development facilitators may find this foundation useful as they develop effective faculty and administrator training materials and programs.

Six subsections are organized around key questions that must be addressed in order to be fully informed when developing educational opportunities for postsecondary faculty and administrators. Key subsection topics and questions are listed below.

Professional Development: Need, Content, and Methods

Why do faculty and administrators need professional development regarding teaching students with disabilities in their courses and programs?
What do we know about the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of faculty and administrators regarding students with disabilities? What do faculty and administrators want and need to know about including students with disabilities in their classes? How do faculty and administrators want to gain this knowledge?
What do students with disabilities think faculty members and administrators need to know about providing full academic access in their classes?

Adult Learning

What do we know about adult learning that can be applied to the design and delivery of professional development for faculty and administrators regarding equal access of students with disabilities to courses and programs?

Learning Styles

What do we know about learning styles that can guide the delivery and design of professional development for faculty and administrators regarding equal access of students with disabilities to courses and programs?

Types of Learning

What do we know about types of learning that can guide the design and delivery of professional development for faculty and administrators regarding equal access of students with disabilities to courses and programs?

Universal Design of Instruction

What do we know about universal design of instruction that can guide the design and delivery of professional development for faculty and administrators regarding the equal access of students with disabilities in their courses and programs?

Systemic Change

What do we know about systemic change that can guide the design and implementation of professional development for faculty and administrators regarding equal access for students with disabilities in their courses and programs?
What do we know about sustaining faculty and administrator development activities for supporting students with disabilities?

In each topic area, research questions are followed by an overview of research and suggestions for applying the respective research in preparing and delivering presentations to faculty and administrators. A concluding section, Application of Research Findings, summarizes how each research area can be applied to the delivery of professional development presentations for faculty and administrators. Note that research in several different areas supports some of the same recommendations, thereby reinforcing essential characteristics of successful professional development programs.

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