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Journal of Deaf Studies & Deaf Education Author's Corner

Introduction:

This wikispace has been designed to facilitate communication between investigators who publish in the (Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education JDSDE) and an extended "Community of Learners" (CoL) interested in the field of deaf education. This CoL, composed of parents, students, and professionals, are often uninformed or under-informed regarding research findings in the field, such as those presented in the pages of JDSDE. As a result, current "practice" often lags behind current knowledge. By the same token, researchers are often uninformed or under-informed regarding promising practices that are being developed and used in settings throughout the world that might be relevant to the development and education of deaf learners. As a result, investigative opportunities are being lost. The premise underlying establishment of this wikispace is to provide an effective and efficient forum for researchers and the deaf education CoL to share and discuss the use of current knowledge, promising practices, and investigative opportunities within the field of deaf education. Ultimately, we seek to bridge research and practices so as to improve teaching and learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners of all ages. The accuracy of this premise will tested by: a) the number and diversity (i.e., settings, roles & interests) of researchers and CoL members who post contributions to the wikispace; b) the evolving pattern of those contributions (e.g., changes in questions asked and information shared over time); and c) periodic surveys of wikispace participants (i.e., both researchers and CoL) concerning the impact of the wikispace contributions upon their knowledge, understanding, use of JDSDE published findings and their interest in being involved in future research efforts.

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Design:

This wikispace has been organized into three sections, i.e.,"Current Topical Discussion"; "Past Topical Discussions;" and "Future Topical Discussions." (see the "navigation bar" to the left). These sections will be used as follows:

• Current Topical Discussion: a three week period during which JDSDE authors use a "Discussion Board" to actively discuss their their published findings with members of the CoL;
• Past Topical Discussions: Following the three week discussion period, JDSDE author(s) and CoL posts are moved to this archival section of the wikispace site; and
• Future Topical Discussions: a list of the dates and topics for future JDSDE author/CoL discussions.

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Use:

Individuals who would like to participate in a discussion must "Join" this wikispace. Wikispace members will be permitted to post contributions to the discussion board of the "Current Topical Discussion." In addition, members periodically will be asked, but not required, to provide feedback concerning the impact of the wikispace contributions to their knowledge, understanding, use of JDSDE published findings, and interest in being involved in future research efforts. While all are welcomed to join this wikispace, participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectfully and accepting of diverse perspectives. Individuals who fail to act in this manner will be barred from contributing to the wikispace. (NOTE: "Join" is located in the upper right-hand corner of the wikispace. Please do not utilize the "Join This Space" link.)

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Sponsorship:

This wikispace represents a joint effort between the following entities:

• Harold Johnson/Professor & CoDirector of the Michigan State University Deaf Education Teacher Preparation Program Deaf Education Teacher Preparation Program (www.educ.msu.edu/deafed/ and , Director of the Deaf Education Web site (www.deafed.net).
• Leeanne Seaver/Executive Director of Hands & Voices, Hands & Voices (www.handsandvoices.org/index.htm) a non-profit, parent-driven national organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Marc Marshark/Professor NTID and Editor of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education and their publishers at the Oxford University Press

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Use & Membership of this wiki site:

This site has been designed in such a way that anyone can review information and then post a message on the "current" research under discussion. Membership to the site is limited to selected Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education authors and the site administrators.