http://www.simplynois
e.com/
Smart Studying
Support for students with disabilities
via smartphone and interactive tools
for planning and organizing
Anna Göthner & Åsa Ferm, Coordinators, Stockholm University
Birger Moëll, Psychologist & Alex Bergvall, Computer Scientist, Sincely
2015-04-13
Smart Studying
• An interactive online program
• Teaches students with ADHD or trouble
organizing their studies how to:
–
–
–
–
Learn effective techniques for studying
Learn effective techniques for organization
Improve attention and remove distractions
Lessen procrastination
Between yesterday and tomorrow
• Yesterday
– The science behind it
– Increased need for assistance with planning,
organization and motivation
• Today – a pilot project, Smart Studying
• Tomorrow
– The students' reflections and evaluation
– What we have learned
The science behind it
The program is based on the research finding from
the worlds first randomized controlled trial of
Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
The RCT was conducted between 2011 and 2013 at
Internetpsykiatri at Huddinge Sjukhus in Sweden
The results are currently being prepared for
submission to an academic journal
The science behind it
The study was in turn inspired by an Norwegian
study «Mobiltelefon som kognitiv støtte for
personer med ADHD og Asperger syndrom»
where students with ADHD and Asperger used their
mobile phones as an assistive tool
http://www.nordicwelfare.org/Omoss/Valfardsteknologi/Mobil-ger-stod-i-vardagen/
The science behind it
The study was also inspired by Pernilla Hallbergs
master thesis “The Mobile Phone as Assistive
Technology for Adults with ADHD”, a great
overview of how mobile phones are used as
assistive technology by individuals with ADHD
http://www.divaportal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:208107
Increased need for assistance with
planning, organization and
motivation
• At Stockholm University
– 2008, support to 400 students with all kinds of
disabilities
– 2013, the overall number of students that are
recommended support had tripled, with 400 students
having ASD, ADHD or psychiatric disabilities
• Largest number of students who receive support in
Sweden
Mentors
• A popular and often
effective support in
planning, organization
and motivation
• Mentor support does
not fit all students
• Difficult to find a
mentor for each
student
The support needs to be diversified
and adapted to each individual
•
Two pilot projects were launched
 Study groups, where students receive support by each
other and an experienced supervisor
 Smart Studying
Smart Studying
The aim
To provide students
with tools so that they
at the end of the
programme can plan,
organize and motivate
themselves to achieve
their study goals.
The course
• During 8 weeks and a minimum of 30 minutes per day
• The support is given via the student's smartphone;
electronic calendar, reminders, to-do lists, apps to
improve concentration etc
• Students have the support of a psychologist via email,
phone and text messages, who became their personal
mentor and supported their on-line work
The students
• Offered to students with ASD, ADHD or psychiatric
disabilities and who described that they had difficulties
with organization, planning and motivation
• Currently
– 7 students from Stockholms University
– 13 students from Karolinska Institutet
– All have ADHD
How does it work?
The program is set up of 7 modules focusing on key
areas that are troublesome for individuals with ADHD.
• Attention
• Organization
• Hyperactivity
• Impulse control
• Procrastination
Overview of the program
Module
Key
Components
Exercises
Components
Introduction and goal
Applications
N-back memory
training
Module 1
setting
SMART Goal Setting
Module 2
Online Calendar
Pomodoro Technique Evernote, Calendar
Module 3
Dividing tasks,
Smartphone Calendar Physical Exercise
White-noise,
Runkeeper
Module 4
To-do-lists
Distraction lists,
Mindfulness
To-do-lists,
Mindfulness
Module 5
Handling distractions
and procrastination
Handling distractions, Speed reading,
Speed reading,
Distraction blockers
Module 6
Problem solving,
repetition
Problem solving,
choosing exercises to Sleep help, Google
continue training on
Maps, Dropbox
Module 7
Wrapping up
Continuing your work -
Apps for improved organization
Evernote
Gtasks
Dropbox
Apps for improved attention
Mindfulness
N-back
Simplynoise
Shared Google Calendar
Finding your own study routine
• Participants choose their own goals
• Goals focused on finding a better routine for life
that works for them
• The interactive program, the support of a
psychologist and applications aims at helping
them reach these goals
Demonstration
• http://sincely.com/sv
Tomorrow
The students refections
What we learned
The students’ reflections
The names of the participants have been changed to protect privacy
"Everything has been fantastic with the program, getting started with life, cleaning
and doing the dishes, meeting people, general activation, I’m happier and more
active in every way.” – Elsa 23
"In my case, I have failed during many years since I have not received this help, if
you know you have a disability it would be great to get this in the beginning when
you start studying. I highly recommend it to all, many have been using Google
calendar for a long time, but for me, this is a great experience, being able to use
support tools in school.” – Caroline 32
"For me it's motivation, that you are here and that I can talk to you, to know that
there is someone who cares about us who have problems.” – Lovisa 22
The students’ reflections
"Cleaning up and breaks, has really helped me a lot, the calendar act as a
support for my structure, it was what I needed. I'm very happy that I joined
in this.” – Anna 23
”I’ve got my confidence back, I feel the way I felt years ago.” – Josefine 28
”Text messages works great, I get a little kick every day, now it’s time to
focus, time to think about myself, I like that. ” – Maria 26
The students’ reflections
”I get reminders now when should I study, and when it’s free time, which I
think is great.” – Erik 24
”I have suffered over the years and had study break after study break. If I'd
had this then, it would have helped a lot.” – Caroline 32
”I have more structure and I feel calmer.” – Anna 28
”I’m using the program all the time, and I'm very happy with it.” – David 25
The students’ reflections
”I think that I have plenty of time but when it gets stressful, I go back to my old
ways, but I don’t feeling good about it, my learning isn’t as effective, I pass my
exams, but just barely.” – Peter 26
“I forget that the program exists, there is so much to do, it’s hard to know what to
start with.” – Anna 24
"Unfortunately, I have been very bad at following my planning. Not because I
missed the reminders but because I don’t care about them. Planning tomorrow
and evaluating the planning of my studies hasn’t worked at all. I get anxious that I
should be doing other "important" things when I try to take time to do something
fun or relaxing.” – Carl 28
The program helped me
• Feel less stressed due to better organization of my everyday life
• Continue to study every day, with reminders to keep the focus up
• To plan my day, but also to find time between activities
• Add leisure time to my calendar!
• Been able to be with the horses without a guilty conscience
• Get started with study breaks
• Been able to feel a little more calm when I'm not studying
• Find study tips
• Use reminders
• Focus on achieving a long term goal rather than a short-term
ADHD-symptoms
measured with Adult ADHD-self report scale
Pre
Post
25.32
17.84
16.85
Hyperactivity
16.29
Inattention
*Preliminary data
Course evaluation
Ability to improve organisation
Ability to improve study technique
Useful homework excersises
Useful applications
Useful text material
Useful exercises
Appropriate level of difficulty
Course structure
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Challenges with the program
• The students expectations of the study
• The uneven starting point
• Finding the best way to communicate with each student
• Technological difficulties
• Dealing with procrastination
• Dealing with impulsivity
• Dealing with inattention
What we have learned
• Motivation is key
• Important to take the time to find students who
are willing to work hard to achieve a change
• Teaching an assortment of tools gives every
student the chance to find things ze likes
• Online interventions can be helpful for students
with disabilities!
Want to learn more about the
program?
Read more at
www.sincely.com/info/buildingbridges
Contact
Alex@sincely.com
Birger@sincely.com
www.su.se/disability
www.su.se/funktionsnedsattning