Speak Up 2008

Grades 3 - 5

  District: NORTH SCHUYLKILL SD
  Results based on 474 survey(s).
What grade are you in?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Grade 3 142 30% 28%
  Grade 4 161 34% 35%
  Grade 5 169 36% 37%
Are you a…
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Girl 198 42% 49%
  Boy 270 57% 50%
Thinking about the other students in your class, do you…
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Know more than other students about technology 177 37% 22%
  Know about the same as other students about technology 240 51% 60%
  Know less than other students about technology 46 10% 16%
Which of these items are available for you to use? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Cell phone (without Internet access) 262 55% 38%
  Desktop computer 395 83% 61%
  Laptop computer 238 50% 48%
  MP3 player or iPod 345 73% 50%
  Smartphone (cell phone/PDA with Internet access) 161 34% 14%
  Tablet PC 50 11% 6%
  Video game, like Xbox or Wii 402 85% 61%
  Other 265 56% 35%
What kind of computer and Internet access do you have outside of school?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  A home computer with no Internet 19 4% 9%
  A home computer with slow Internet (dial-up) 102 22% 20%
  A home computer with fast Internet (DSL, cable, Broadband) 299 63% 58%
  I only use the Internet in a public place (e.g. library or afterschool program) 8 2% 4%
  My only access to computers or the Internet is at school. 25 5% 8%
How do you use computers for schoolwork? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Check on my grades 347 73% 24%
  Complete writing assignments 269 57% 43%
  Create a slide show or movie 199 42% 27%
  Email, IM or text message my teachers or classmates 181 38% 16%
  Get help from an online tutor 84 18% 7%
  Listen to a podcast for class 94 20% 8%
  Participate in videoconferences 149 31% 5%
  Play educational games 338 71% 52%
  Post to blogs or wikis 66 14% 6%
  Practice my writing 255 54% 33%
  Take a class online 123 26% 7%
  Take tests online 315 66% 34%
  Turn in papers for plagiarism checking (turnitin) 45 9% 5%
  Upload information for school 173 36% 15%
  Use online textbooks 151 32% 13%
  Use the Internet for research 317 67% 51%
  Work on projects with students in other countries 57 12% 8%
  None of the above 10 2% 6%
What keeps you from using computers more at school? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Computers are not always available or easy to get to 154 32% 37%
  I am unable to access the Internet 29 6% 7%
  I cannot access my personal email account or send email or IM to classmates 88 19% 14%
  I do not know how to use them 11 2% 3%
  Internet is not fast enough 49 10% 9%
  My teachers do not know how to use them 14 3% 2%
  Software is not good enough 22 5% 5%
  None of the above 175 37% 35%
How would you use a cell phone or MP3 player (iPod) for schoolwork? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Email or IM or text message a classmate 144 30% 21%
  Email or IM or text message my teacher 99 21% 14%
  Receive reminders and alerts on my cell phone about homework or tests 183 39% 33%
  To find out about things going on at school 185 39% 26%
  To make or share music, or videos 163 34% 21%
  To organize myself 174 37% 30%
  To play educational games 196 41% 27%
  To use the Internet 171 36% 27%
  To work on projects with my classmates 134 28% 22%
  Other 136 29% 21%
  None of the above 80 17% 20%
Are you interested in taking an online class?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I thought about taking an online class 43 9% 7%
  I took an online class for school 40 8% 4%
  I took an online class for fun 18 4% 3%
  I would like to, but have not yet 60 13% 15%
  I don't want to take an online class 117 25% 24%
  I don't know 128 27% 34%
If you have taken (or thought about taking) an online class, how might this type of learning make school more interesting?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I would be in control of my learning 156 33% 26%
  I would be able to ask my teacher questions easier 139 29% 19%
  I would want to learn 157 33% 26%
  I would feel more connected to school 142 30% 23%
  I would get more attention from my teacher(s) 75 16% 12%
  It would be easier for me to do well 166 35% 27%
  It would be easier to share ideas with my classmates 128 27% 19%
  It would be easier to go over class materials as many times as I want 113 24% 15%
  I do not know 72 15% 17%
  None of the above 61 13% 15%
  Other 53 11% 7%
Why would you take an online class?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  To take a class not offered at my school 71 15% 14%
  To get extra help in a subject 204 43% 37%
  To fit my schedule 50 11% 9%
  To work at my own pace 126 27% 22%
  It is easier for me to learn in an online class 81 17% 12%
  I don't know 96 20% 27%
  Other 46 10% 7%
Pretend that you are making a new kind of textbook that will be 100% online. What would you have in that new online textbook? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Activities for extra credit 306 65% 51%
  Animations 138 29% 28%
  Be able to create videos or audio projects 206 43% 39%
  Be able to download information to my cell phone 153 32% 25%
  Be able to share information with other students 223 47% 40%
  Be able to take notes 262 55% 45%
  Be able to talk to people in that field about what I'm learning (videoconference) 175 37% 23%
  Games to explore ideas I'm learning 249 53% 44%
  Links to websites (like NASA, Google Earth, etc.) 214 45% 35%
  Podcasts from subject experts 117 25% 19%
  PowerPoint presentations from my teacher 183 39% 28%
  Quizzes and pre-tests 263 55% 42%
  Tools to help me get organized 184 39% 34%
  Tools to help me learn to write 162 34% 28%
  Tutors that help me online 146 31% 20%
  Videos about the topic I'm studying 226 48% 36%
  Other 49 10% 9%
How do you use Internet tools outside of school?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Share music, videos or photos 209 44% 32%
  Participate in online virtual world (Webkinz, Club Penguin) 239 50% 38%
  Play video or online games 283 60% 54%
  Send E-mails, text messages or Instant Messages 169 36% 28%
  Update my profile (like Webkinz, Club Penguin, etc.) 204 43% 28%
  Talk to others on websites. 162 34% 22%
  Write for a blog (like a journal, etc.) 78 16% 13%
  Create a list of websites I want to share with others 114 24% 18%
  None of the above 32 7% 11%
How is learning science important to you?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I might want a job that uses science 232 49% 42%
  To help me do well in school 249 53% 48%
  To learn how to solve problems 186 39% 29%
  To graduate from high school 196 41% 38%
  To help me get into college 234 49% 45%
  I do not think learning science is important 27 6% 4%
  I don't know 38 8% 9%
Which of these would increase your interest in science?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Do a science experiment 300 63% 58%
  Go to science museums, aquariums, observatory or the zoo 274 58% 52%
  Join a science club or fair 132 28% 27%
  Learn about jobs that use science 192 41% 29%
  Meet people who work in the science field 189 40% 29%
  Play computer games that teach me science 220 46% 41%
  Read books about science 172 36% 31%
  Talk about science events or news 140 30% 22%
  Talk with my parents about current events in science (Space travel, fossils, dinosaurs, global warming etc.) 151 32% 26%
  Use my science skills to help others 152 32% 25%
  Watch TV shows about science (e.g. Discovery Channel, NOVA, or National Geographic etc.) 201 42% 37%
  Other 46 10% 6%
When you grow up, would you like a job in the science, engineering or computer field?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  No, those sound too hard 36 8% 6%
  No, I like other things better 102 22% 27%
  No, my parents say that other jobs are better 10 2% 3%
  Maybe, I would like to know more about them 74 16% 16%
  Yes, I am a little interested in a job like that 49 10% 10%
  Yes, I am very interested in a job like that 65 14% 14%
  Other 49 10% 9%
Pretend that you are the school principal and you want to make sure every student feels important. What would you do?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Have teachers who care about students 249 53% 47%
  Get parents involved at school 178 38% 33%
  Know every student's name and what they like 201 42% 41%
  Let students pick projects to work on 247 52% 42%
  Listen to students' ideas about how to make school better 255 54% 51%
  Make sure every student belongs to a group or club 112 24% 22%
  Make sure students feel safe at school 265 56% 52%
  Have online classes 147 31% 23%
  Give students extra help with schoolwork 240 51% 44%
  Have fewer students in each class 83 18% 15%
  Treat all students equally and with respect 263 55% 52%
  Use technology to make classes more interesting 219 46% 37%
  I don't know 28 6% 5%
  Other 41 9% 7%
Which of these information and media literacy skills do you think you will need when you are older?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Ability to identify information I need, and how to find it 242 51% 44%
  Ability to organize information 196 41% 40%
  Ability to research a topic 219 46% 40%
  Create a podcast or video to share my research 151 32% 28%
  Know how to analyze and interpret stories, commercials, and in the media (TV, magazines, newspapers, blogs etc) 147 31% 28%
  Know how to detect bias, censorship or propaganda in resources 86 18% 18%
  Know how to evaluate the credibility of a resource 105 22% 22%
  Know how to summarize research 159 34% 33%
  Know how to use technology and digital content responsibility 165 35% 33%
  Know how to write a report about my research 184 39% 36%
  None of the above 55 12% 11%
  Other 27 6% 6%
What is the best way for you to acquire these information and media literacy skills?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Learn on my own just by using technology 186 39% 31%
  Learn through a special class at my school 176 37% 33%
  Use technology as part of my regular classes 189 40% 34%
  Take an online class 116 24% 19%
  From my parents 182 38% 37%
  From my friends 134 28% 22%
When using the Internet, how do you know the website is good?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  A student told me 110 23% 15%
  Author is an expert 60 13% 10%
  Domain extension (.gov, .net, .edu, .com, .org etc) 93 20% 16%
  Found the website through Wikipedia 86 18% 13%
  I don't know how to evaluate if the information is credible 58 12% 10%
  Information is cited on other websites 97 20% 16%
  Information is current, accurate and impartial 84 18% 17%
  Information is relevant to my research topic 97 20% 18%
  Information on the website is a primary source 93 20% 14%
  Teacher, parent or librarian told me 176 37% 34%
  Website had a lot of hits through search engine 84 18% 13%
  Website is well designed and looks important 114 24% 17%
  None of the above 55 12% 12%
  Other 31 7% 8%
Read these sentences. Check the box if you agree with them. (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I think my school cares about me 263 55% 52%
  I like what I'm learning in school 242 51% 53%
  I want to work hard 250 53% 51%
  I am doing well in school 266 56% 52%
  I am having problems with my school work 73 15% 17%
  I wish my classes were more interesting 163 34% 29%
  I feel safe at school 250 53% 51%
  I feel I am prepared to do well in school 230 49% 46%
  Teachers or my parents want me to do well in school 250 53% 51%
  I do not feel safe at school 44 9% 7%
  My parents are very involved in my education 176 37% 38%
  There is at least one adult at school that I can talk to about problems 161 34% 30%
  My grades don't match what I know 47 10% 10%
  Homework helps me practice what I have learned 213 45% 41%
  I don’t like school 68 14% 11%
Do you think your school is preparing you to do well in the future? (select one)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Yes 261 55% 57%
  No 24 5% 4%
  Not sure 46 10% 9%
  No opinion 7 1% 2%
  I have not thought about this before 33 7% 9%
What are your educational goals? (select one)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Graduate High School with my friends 64 14% 15%
  Go to college 255 54% 55%
  I'm not interested in college 17 4% 2%
  I'm not sure 37 8% 8%
If you were creating a new school, what which of these would you include in your school? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Digital cameras or video equipment 219 46% 41%
  Document camera 148 31% 28%
  Games 303 64% 54%
  Handheld response systems 165 35% 31%
  High tech tools for science 266 56% 49%
  Interactive whiteboards (Smartboards) 254 54% 44%
  Laptop for each student 256 54% 52%
  Mobile devices (e.g. cell phones, MP3 players, iPods) 179 38% 30%
  Online Classes 216 46% 35%
  Online textbooks 230 49% 38%
  School portal 141 30% 26%
  Tablet PC for each student 145 31% 26%
  Tools to communicate with others (Email, IM or text messaging) 169 36% 30%
  Tools to help me organize my schoolwork 227 48% 45%
  Tools to work with others (like blogs, wikis, Google Docs, etc ) 194 41% 34%
  Unlimited student access to the Internet 176 37% 28%
  Videoconference with people outside of the school 161 34% 23%
  Other 56 12% 9%
You are a student reporter for an online news show and your task is to create a video or podcast about a topic that students will like. What is your topic? Who would you talk to? What questions would you ask? How would you share it?
  Note: Text responses too numerous to display. Highlights and summaries will be included in the national report. Please contact speakup@tomorrow.org to request your open ended responses.
Pretend you are the President or leader of your country. Your goal is to make sure every student does well when they grow up. How would you change your school?
  Note: Text responses too numerous to display. Highlights and summaries will be included in the national report. Please contact speakup@tomorrow.org to request your open ended responses.

Project Tomorrow, the nonprofit organization that facilitates Speak Up, retains all legal rights to the surveys and the data gathered through the Speak Up project and prohibits the use of the data for commercial or unauthorized purposes by any entity. For more information about appropriate uses contact Project Tomorrow at speakup@tomorrow.org