Appendix B: Parental Consent Form

(Fargo North High)

801 17th Ave N. Fargo, ND 58102
701-446-2400

February 7, 2017
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s):

My name is Rachel Olstad and I am your childs French teacher this year. I am also a
Teaching and Technology graduate student at Valley City State University. My advisor, Dr.
Patricia Gegelman and I would like to include your child, along with their classmates, in a
research project investigating the effects of foreign language anxiety and the web 2.0 tool Voice
Thread on student speaking participation and achievement in the language classroom. We do not
anticipate any risk greater than normal life and your child may benefit from this research by
reflecting on their learning process in their language class while continuing to learn new
concepts that are consistent with our French curriculum and national standards. If your child
takes part in this project, they will be involved in regular class work, including 2 formative
speaking assessments, as well as 2 questionnaires relating to foreign language anxiety. Some
class time may be devoted to taking these questionnaires, practicing speaking skills using the
program Voice Thread, and conducting the speaking assessments.
Your childs participation in this project is completely voluntary. In addition to your
permission, your child will also be asked if he or she would like to take part in this project. Only
those who want to participate will do so, and any child may stop taking part at any time. The
choice to participate will be kept secure and will not become a part of your childs school record.
The information will be accessible only to project personnel and will be transcribed and coded to
remove childrens names and will be erased after the project is completed. The results of this
study will be used in a research paper.
In the space below, please indicate whether you would like your child to participate in
this project. Please have your child return one copy of this completed form to me by February
10th, 2017. The second copy is to keep for your records. If you have any questions about
participants rights in research, please feel free to contact the VCSU Institutional Review Board
by mail (101 College Street SW, Valley City, North Dakota 58072), email
(gregory.carlson@vcsu.edu), or telephone (701) 845-7480.

Sincerely,

Rachel Olstad Dr. Patricia Gegelman

Rachel.olstad@vcsu.edu patricia.gegelman@vcsu.edu
Olstadr1@fargo.k12.nd.us 701.845.7195
701-446-2479

I DO I DO NOT (check one) give permission for

_________________________________ (name of child) to participate in the research described above.

Parents signature _________________________________________ Date __________________