The Impact of Direct Experiences with Children with Disabilities on Undergraduate Student Perceptions and Dispositions

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of an immersive learning (IL) course in which university students planned, developed, and implemented a 2-week day camp for children with disabilities. To assess perceptions and associated dispositional constructs, university students completed reflection activities before, during, and post camp (immediate, and 3 years after). The results indicate perceptions were impacted both during the IL course and across several timepoints after the completion of course. Comfort interacting with people with disabilities was the primary construct maintained 3-years after the camp, and results indicate the camp experience impacted career choices. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• special education
• teacher preparation
• dispositional development

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ball State University [Provost Immersive Learning Grant,Teachers College Micro Grant].