[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77852-77854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31994]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request establishment and clearance of this collection. In accordance 
with

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the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this 
action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will 
prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for 
no longer than 3 years.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by February 13, 2012 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-(800) 877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 
7 days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Project

    ``National STEM Digital Library/Distributed Learning: Phase 3 
Evaluation.''
    The proposed project includes a survey of teachers' use of the 
National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) 
Digital Library/Distributed Learning (NSDL) Program plus antecedents 
and consequences of NSDL use. NSDL is the NSF's online library of 
collections and other resources (e.g., tools, services) for STEM 
education and research. The teacher survey is part of a Phase 3 
evaluation that builds upon the findings of earlier phases of a multi-
stage program evaluation that relied chiefly on existing data. The 
survey will be used to understand the frequency with which teachers use 
NSDL resources, the ways in which they use these resources for STEM 
teaching, and antecedents of or barriers to such use. Results will be 
used to identify important lessons learned about the NSDL program from 
teachers, who are the ultimate consumer of program resources. 
Currently, there is little or no systematic information about teachers' 
uses of NSDL despite the significant roles that teachers are expected 
to play in the program in terms of both stimulating demand for and 
contributing to the creation of digital STEM resources, tools, and 
services and also deploying these assets to improve understanding and 
delivery of STEM teaching and learning.

Method of Collection

    Teachers who have registered to use NSDL resources through 
Teachers' Domain, an NSF-funded pathway, will be recruited to complete 
the survey. One hundred and eighty teachers will be recruited, with an 
estimated response rate of 70%. The survey will be administered online, 
although an option for a paper version with a self-addressed stamped 
envelope will be provided. The survey consists of 26 questions in the 
following categories: (1) Background questions regarding use of NSDL 
resources; (2) frequency of use; (3) types of use; (4) perceived 
benefits for teaching and learning; (5) ease of use; (6) facilitating 
conditions; (7) self-efficacy for STEM teaching and learning; (8) 
social influence; (9) personal innovativeness with technology; and (10) 
demographic characteristics. Response options for the vast majority of 
questions in all categories are close-ended (e.g., 7-point scales 
ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Participants will be 
given a thank-you gift consisting of a $20 gift certificate to 
Amazon.com.

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

                                  Exhibit 1--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                     Number of
                    Form name                        Number of     responses per     Hours per     Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       response          hours
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Teacher Survey..................................             180               1             .33              60
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................             180               1             .33              60
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                                   Exhibit 2--Estimated Annualized Cost Burden
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                                                     Number of     Total burden   Average hourly    Total cost
                    Form name                       respondents        hours        wage rate*        burden
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Teacher Survey..................................             180              60          $26.44        $1586.40
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................             180              60           26.44         1586.40
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 Based upon the mean national hourly wages across elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, excluding
  special education and career/technical education, from Occupational Employment and Wages News Release, U.S.
  Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 17, 2011. Available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.htm.


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Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government

    The estimated total cost for this effort is $109,000; this cost 
includes: research staff involved in survey design, piloting, 
implementation, analysis, and writing. Additional costs included in 
this amount involve staff time for project management and 
administration, one-year licenses for survey and analytical software, 
respondent payments (gift certificates), and a letter agreement with 
Teachers' Domain to pull the sample and contact potential participants.

    Dated: December 8, 2011.
Suzanne Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2011-31994 Filed 12-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P