Education council awards more than $230,000 for the project
Jun 26, 2009 - 09:13 AM
DURHAM -- A research project at Durham College is getting more than $230,000 to help students with learning disabilities.
The money, provided by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, will be used to research keys to success for students with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Research will look at the types of services students use, how they contribute to success, who they go to for assistance, how they engage with professors, potential barriers and more.
"We are excited to be working towards greater opportunities to ensure the success of students with learning disabilities and ADHD," said Deborah Tsagris, the project's lead researcher and a learning strategist with the centre.
"Traditionally, student affairs departments have not been able to commit to this type of research, however it will be vitally important in providing data and information that will help us ensure we are meeting the needs of every student on campus."
Research is being conducted through the Centre for Students with Disabilities, which serves both Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. For the project, Ms. Tsagris will be joined by Beverley Myatt, also a learning strategist with the centre, and Dr. Bill Muirhead, UOIT's associate provost of teaching and learning. The funding will be provided over two and half years and is the largest amount awarded among 19 approved post-secondary projects -- only four of which were from colleges.
"We are very pleased HEQCO has recognized the great potential in this research," said Margaret Greenley, vice-president of student affairs for Durham College and UOIT. "This work will also deliver information and results that are applicable to all students, whether they have a disability or not."
Research findings will also be available to other colleges and universities.
The team will file interim reports with the council, leading up to the end of the study period in July 2011 and then will issue a final report.
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