Speak Up 2007

Teacher Survey

  District: NORTH SCHUYLKILL SD
  Results based on 147 survey(s).
 
 
Responses to the science-specific questions (Q19-Q22) are based on total number of unique Survey ids for the school (or district, if it is a district report) and not the number of teacher who self-selected as science teachers
 
What is your current job responsibility?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Classroom teacher 113 77% 74%
  Instructional aide 0 0% 3%
  Special education teacher 20 14% 8%
  Curriculum specialist 1 1% 2%
  Librarian or media coordinator 2 1% 3%
  School technology coordinator 0 0% 2%
  Preservice Teacher 0 0% 0%
  Other 10 7% 8%
What grade(s) do you currently teach?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  pre-K 0 0% 2%
  K-2 23 16% 17%
  3-5 28 19% 21%
  6-8 21 14% 23%
  9-12 51 35% 26%
  Ungraded 1 1% 2%
  All grades 21 14% 9%
What subject area do you currently teach? (Select one)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Multiple subject (elementary) 33 22% 34%
  English 12 8% 9%
  Math 16 11% 9%
  Social Studies or History 11 7% 5%
  Science 14 10% 6%
  Foreign language 2 1% 2%
  Visual and performing arts 5 3% 4%
  Yearbook or Journalism 0 0% 0%
  Physical education 6 4% 3%
  Technology 6 4% 4%
  Business 1 1% 1%
  Career Technical Education 1 1% 2%
  Special education 17 12% 7%
  English as a second language 1 1% 1%
  Other 20 14% 11%
Thinking about other teachers at your school, do you consider yourself
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  An advanced tech user – more expert than most 31 21% 33%
  An average tech user – the same as most 83 56% 56%
  A beginner tech user – your skills are not as developed as most 30 20% 11%
Which of these activities do you do regularly using technology?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Create a multimedia presentation like Powerpoint 49 33% 59%
  Create or listen to podcasts or videos 46 31% 35%
  Download music 44 30% 37%
  Email or IM a colleague or parent 126 86% 93%
  Email or IM a student 20 14% 34%
  Go to TV show websites to give feedback or vote 21 14% 15%
  Maintain a personal website like MySpace or Facebook 8 5% 21%
  Participate in online communities 11 7% 21%
  Participate in virtual reality environments like Second Life 0 0% 2%
  Personalize news feeds 7 5% 7%
  Play online games 31 21% 29%
  Read or post blog or wiki entries 11 7% 20%
  Remix content (such as music, video, text) 6 4% 9%
  None of the above 9 6% 2%
How do you use technology to facilitate student learning?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Set student objectives. 37 25% 43%
  Provide feedback to students. 48 33% 43%
  Share exemplary student work in classroom, school or with parents. 36 24% 32%
  Create cues, questions or advanced organizers. 54 37% 41%
  Create physical models or use pictures to represent knowledge. 61 41% 43%
  Students create movies or animation projects. 7 5% 16%
  Notetaking and synthesis of information. 50 34% 39%
  Facilitate group collaboration and structure. 36 24% 28%
  Track the relationship between effort and achievement. 18 12% 19%
  Create graphic organizers for comparing, classifying, creating metaphors and analogies. 48 33% 43%
  Homework and practice. 71 48% 51%
  Conduct investigations. 21 14% 25%
  None of the above. 17 12% 8%
In addition to knowing core content subjects, which of these skills do you think is most important for a student to be successful in the 21st century?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Ability to work in a global society 81 55% 59%
  Communicate in more that one language 33 22% 36%
  Collaboration skills 82 56% 62%
  Communication skills 119 81% 80%
  Contextual learning skills 36 24% 33%
  Creativity and innovation skills 77 52% 51%
  Effectively use technology 107 73% 73%
  Experience solving complex problems and thinking through new ideas 75 51% 63%
  Information and media literacy skills 53 36% 46%
  None of the above 0 0% 0%
  Other 4 3% 3%
Which tools are you using to develop the 21st century skills you selected above?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Digital whiteboards 71 48% 26%
  E-mail, IM, blogs, wikis, or other Web 2.0 tools 101 69% 68%
  Gaming technologies 25 17% 17%
  Multi-media projects 44 30% 48%
  Social networking tools 16 11% 16%
  Student Response Systems 14 10% 16%
  Virtual field trips 47 32% 22%
  Podcasts 4 3% 7%
  Virtual reality environments (e.g. Second Life) 1 1% 2%
  None 11 7% 9%
  Other 9 6% 6%
A new, emerging trend in education is the use of gaming technologies to provide contextual learning. Which of these statements describe your interest in this new trend?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I would be interested in learning more about integrating gaming technologies into my instructional strategies. 70 48% 51%
  I would be interested in professional development in this. 57 39% 46%
  I currently integrate gaming technologies into my classroom. 12 8% 11%
  I would be interested in sharing ideas about gaming with other teachers 6 4% 7%
  I would be interested in learning more about promising practices in gaming. 43 29% 29%
  I am not interested in using gaming technologies in my classroom. 20 14% 12%
From what you have heard about using gaming technologies as an instructional tool, what do you think the value would be in your classroom?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Appeals to different learning styles 98 67% 65%
  Increase student motivation and engagement. 82 56% 65%
  Opportunities for students to develop their creativity. 56 38% 39%
  Provides environment to visualize difficult concepts. 48 33% 35%
  Student-centered learning. 57 39% 47%
  Students can create models and test their assumptions. 26 18% 23%
  Students can develop their collaboration skills. 35 24% 28%
  Students can develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills 57 39% 40%
  Students can more deeply explore an idea through the virtual world. 30 20% 24%
  Students can practice their skills and develop expertise. 48 33% 31%
  Students gain experience through "trial and error." 46 31% 37%
  Students learn that failure is an opportunity to learn. 30 20% 30%
  I don't see the value of using gaming technologies in my classroom. 10 7% 6%
  None of the above. 14 10% 8%
In the past 12 months, how have you been involved with online learning?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Explored opportunities for integrating online learning into my classroom. 54 37% 33%
  Taught an online class. 1 1% 3%
  Used a learning management system in my class. 12 8% 11%
  Took an online class for personal enrichment. 5 3% 12%
  Took an online class for career advancement. 12 8% 16%
  Took an online class for professional development. 16 11% 21%
  No involvement - but I'm interested. 67 46% 31%
  No involvement - not interested. 10 7% 9%
What is your preferred method for professional development?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  School or district-provided trainings 104 71% 62%
  Podcasts, webcasts or videoconferencing 8 5% 8%
  Peer-to-peer and study teams (in person) 25 17% 32%
  Peer-to-peer and study teams (on line) 6 4% 7%
  Online course 40 27% 26%
  Conferences 75 51% 38%
  Summer externships with local companies 9 6% 8%
  School-based just-in-time mentoring 9 6% 7%
  Publisher/vendor training 4 3% 8%
  Other 1 1% 2%
What are the primary benefits of online professional development for you?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Fits my schedule 107 73% 66%
  Saves time 58 39% 40%
  Less expensive than alternatives. 36 24% 24%
  I can control my own learning. 52 35% 41%
  Supports my learning style. 19 13% 19%
  Provides access to experts. 11 7% 15%
  Just-in-time -- when I need it. 16 11% 14%
  Other 4 3% 1%
  None of the above. 17 12% 11%
There is a national discussion underway about the value of mobile learning devices such as laptops, smart cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players in education. What do you think is the most significant value of incorporating such devices into instruction?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Development of strong communications skills 41 28% 33%
  Extends learning beyond the school day 55 37% 45%
  Improves teacher skills with technology 51 35% 39%
  Improves teacher-parent-student communications 50 34% 35%
  Increases student engagement in school and learning 73 50% 51%
  Increases teacher productivity 20 14% 23%
  Personalized instruction 37 25% 30%
  Prepares students for world of work 36 24% 41%
  Provides opportunities for informal remediation 17 12% 20%
  Students develop collaboration and teamwork skills 20 14% 21%
  Students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills 27 18% 26%
  No significant benefit 12 8% 6%
  Other 0 0% 2%
Besides funding, what's needed to effectively utilize mobile devices or online learning in your classroom?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Examples of effective classroom practices. 82 56% 59%
  Ensure that all students have access to devices or software. 93 63% 65%
  District support for use of these devices. 82 56% 53%
  Teachers I could talk to about incorporating the devices into my instruction. 41 28% 36%
  School policies that allow the use of these tools. 49 33% 33%
  Professional development on how to effectively integrate these devices into my instructional strategies. 82 56% 58%
  Ongoing mentoring 42 29% 29%
  Ongoing technical support 71 48% 52%
  These devices are a distraction and should not be incorporated into the classroom. 3 2% 3%
  Other 1 1% 3%
Many teachers are tapping into "open educational resources" from the Internet to support classroom instruction. Which of these types of Internet-based open educational resources have you used in the past 12 months? (Select any that apply.)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  A subject-specific website portal. 71 48% 49%
  A test-bank with items to build my own assessments 25 17% 29%
  A collection of streaming videos to support my lessons 57 39% 43%
  Interactive simulations to support my lessons 38 26% 22%
  Online experiments to use with my class 18 12% 12%
  "Pre-packaged" course curriculum 22 15% 17%
  Interchangeable modules to create my own course 6 4% 5%
  Just-in-time online teaching support 8 5% 6%
  Nuggets of teaching ideas and background information. 41 28% 31%
  Video clips of teaching demonstrations in my content area 31 21% 21%
  Blogs, message boards or discussion groups where teachers can share success stories, struggles and challenges 14 10% 13%
  None of the above 21 14% 12%
What is the primary way that you interact with open educational resources to support instruction in your classroom?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I use online resources in my classroom just the way I find them without editing, modifying or customizing. 42 29% 23%
  I customize the online resources I find with my own ideas, materials and resources before using them in my classroom. 58 39% 43%
  I review online resources to get ideas to help me create new lesson plans and classroom activities. 72 49% 52%
  I update my pre-existing lesson plan or classroom activity with resources that I found online. 56 38% 41%
  I post online resources that I have developed and tested in my own classroom for other teachers to use. 6 4% 7%
  I have trouble finding high quality online open educational resources to support instruction in my classroom. 9 6% 7%
  I don't have the technology infrastructure to use online resources in my classroom. 11 7% 3%
  I don't use online resources in my classroom. 5 3% 5%
  None of the above 4 3% 4%
  Other 0 0% 1%
Business and policy leaders believe that scientific knowledge is critical to improving our nation's economic competitiveness. To what extent do you agree that improving K-12 science education should be a top national education issue?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Strongly disagree 12 8% 10%
  Disagree 6 4% 3%
  Agree 74 50% 40%
  Strongly agree 32 22% 29%
  No opinion 13 9% 7%
In your classroom, which instructional strategies do you use to teach students science? (Choose all that apply.)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Facilitate inquiry-based investigations 22 15% 25%
  Lecture 31 21% 23%
  Kit-based materials 15 10% 21%
  Facilitate hands-on activities to demonstrate science concepts. 35 24% 30%
  Conduct demonstration lessons 22 15% 26%
  Explore scientific concepts using multimedia and interactive simulations. 15 10% 16%
  Provide opportunities for students to conduct original research. 13 9% 12%
  Use probeware to facilitate the collection, visualization, analysis and presentation of scientific data. 4 3% 3%
  Help students realize science is relevant in their life. 26 18% 26%
  Give students multiple opportunities to develop their scientific expertise. 16 11% 14%
  Use virtual environments to develop students' scientific expertise. 5 3% 5%
  Assign projects that develop students problem-solving, critical thinking skills. 19 13% 16%
  Introduce students to science professionals 5 3% 5%
  Other 6 4% 4%
Researchers recommend that schools should make greater use of 21st century tools to teach science. Which of these tools have the greatest potential for increasing student achievement in science?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Animations to help students visualize difficult concepts. 30 20% 25%
  Digital media tools for presenting scientific findings. 11 7% 16%
  Digital whiteboards to help facilitate student discussions of scientific findings. 23 16% 17%
  Interactive simulations that allow students to practice scientific expertise. 32 22% 23%
  Probeware that facilitates the collection, visualization, analysis and presentation of scientific data. 7 5% 10%
  Projection systems to assist with demonstrations. 13 9% 17%
  Standard lab tools and apparatus (e.g. microscopes, Bunsen burners) 18 12% 19%
  Videoconferencing to connect with professionals. 9 6% 8%
  Visualizing software to organize ideas. 15 10% 8%
  Web 2.0 tools to facilitate student research & collaboration 2 1% 4%
  Other 3 2% 2%
Thinking about your own classroom, what are the primary barriers to teaching inquiry-based science?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I am currently teaching outside of my scientific expertise. 6 4% 3%
  Pressure to conform to a "prescribed" curriculum 9 6% 12%
  District and/or school focus on state science assessments 13 9% 11%
  Inadequate equipment and/or materials 23 16% 16%
  Lack of time to conduct scientific investigations. 26 18% 23%
  Lack of funding to purchase materials 16 11% 14%
  Lab preparation is too time consuming 7 5% 9%
  Inadequate space to conduct scientific investigations 8 5% 10%
  Lack of well-developed science investigations tied to the standards 9 6% 6%
  Lack of investigations aligned to my textbook. 1 1% 3%
  Lack of student interest 6 4% 2%
  I don't see the need to teach inquiry based science 1 1% 1%
  Other 5 3% 5%
If you were considering integrating 21st century tools or strategies into your science instruction, what factors would you consider?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Available funding/cost 24 16% 27%
  Brochures or catalogs 7 5% 5%
  Conference presentations 19 13% 9%
  Demonstrated improvements in student achievement 9 6% 14%
  Ease of integration into my classroom 18 12% 24%
  I don't have the opportunity to influence these decisions 8 5% 5%
  Mandate by site or district administration 3 2% 3%
  Recommendations from peers 13 9% 12%
  Recommentdations from teachers outside my district 6 4% 7%
  Research or best-practices 8 5% 15%
  Supporting curricular resources (e.g. lesson plans, website, teaching guides) 16 11% 14%
  Vendor presentations or workshops 8 5% 5%
  Website 1 1% 4%
  Other 2 1% 2%
Do you think that your school is doing a good job of preparing today's students for the jobs of the 21st century?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Yes 68 46% 47%
  No 13 9% 14%