S

Student Preference Study

Mr. Catalano

Research Problem

What:

What are my students learning preferences and interests?

Why:

Adapting the class to meet the preferences and interests of my students will hopefully increase motivation and performance.

Research Design

Where & When:

Done in class on 9/17/2012

Demographics

Sample size: 26

Males: 75%, Female: 25%

Grade Breakdown

10th64%

11th25%

12th11%

10th11th12th

Research Instrument

1. I prefer taking notes at home from a textbook and spending class time going over it and doing activities.

Stro

ngly A

gree

Agre

e

Don’t

Know

Disag

ree

Stro

ngly D

isag

ree

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

2. I prefer taking notes in class from a textbook and not having homework.

Strongly Agree

Agree Don’t Know

Disagree Strongly Disagree

0123456789

10

3. I prefer taking notes in class during a lecture and not having homework.

Strongly Agree

Agree Don’t Know

Disagree Strongly Disagree

0

5

10

15

20

25

4. I prefer working alone on projects.

Strongly Agree

Agree Don’t Know

Disagree Strongly Disagree

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

5. When working with a partner, its important I’m able to select whom I work with.

Strongly Agree

Agree Don’t Know

Disagree Strongly Disagree

0

5

10

15

20

25

6. Rank the following fieldtrip ideas from 1(top pick) to 4 (lowest pick)

Average Rank

Bears Office 2.3Bulls Game 1.5College Visit 3.4Marketing Firm

4.6

7. What are some topics you would like to learn about this semester?

Top three recommendations given:

1. More projects and less notes (14)

2. Guest speakers (8)

3. More time in lab (7)

Solutions Based on Research

1. Have students take notes in class via lecture and sometimes with textbook

2. Allow students to work partners

3. Allow students to pick partners

4. Set-up a field trip see the Bulls or the Bears Office

5. Do more projects and less notes

6. Bring in guest speakers

7. Plan more time in the lab (if possible)

Research Limitations

Many of the students may have not taken the survey seriously.

Students may not have given their true thoughts for free response due to teacher influence.

Vague field trip options

Possible Future Improvements

Offer survey online to maintain anonymity

Provide more detail for field trip question