Speak Up 2007

Grades 3 - 5

  District: NORTH SCHUYLKILL SD
  Results based on 445 survey(s).
What grade are you in?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Grade 3 132 30% 28%
  Grade 4 171 38% 35%
  Grade 5 139 31% 37%
Are you a . . .
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Girl 199 45% 49%
  Boy 242 54% 49%
Thinking about the other students in your class, do you…
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Know more than other students about technology 133 30% 23%
  Know about the same as other students about technology 260 58% 60%
  Know less than other students about technology 41 9% 15%
What kind of computer access do you have at home?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  A computer with no Internet 30 7% 10%
  A computer with slow Internet (dial-up) 115 26% 22%
  A computer with fast Internet (DSL, cable) 273 61% 56%
  I do not have a computer that I can use at my home 17 4% 11%
Which of these items are available for you to use? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Simple cell phone (without internet access) 209 47% 33%
  Personal computer - desktop 218 49% 40%
  Personal computer - laptop 112 25% 28%
  MP3 player or iPod 243 55% 49%
  Video game, like Xbox or Wii 290 65% 60%
  Smartphone (cell phone/PDA) 73 16% 15%
  Other 150 34% 35%
How do you use technology? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Share music, videos or photos 216 49% 38%
  Participate in online virtual world 151 34% 24%
  Go to TV show websites to give feedback or vote 126 28% 23%
  Play video or online games 323 73% 64%
  Download music 204 46% 32%
  Send E-mails 148 33% 29%
  Send Instant Messages 114 26% 15%
  Send Text Messages 108 24% 18%
  None of the above 17 4% 9%
Which of these things really bugs you about using the Internet? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Adults being too concerned about internet safety 145 33% 27%
  Too many ads or popups 257 58% 52%
  Kids using email or IM to hurt other kids (Cyberbullying) 147 33% 31%
  Some kids do not have computers or the internet 94 21% 18%
  Online safety 94 21% 17%
  Internet speed is too slow for what I need to do 165 37% 34%
  Knowing what information is good 76 17% 13%
  Too much information - can't find what I'm looking for 188 42% 34%
  None of the above 28 6% 6%
  Other 68 15% 12%
Which of these skills do you think you will need when you are older? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Work well with people from another country 143 32% 33%
  Work well with others 266 60% 53%
  Speak more than one language 191 43% 43%
  Be a good speaker 222 50% 44%
  Be able to learn new things 279 63% 55%
  Be creative 263 59% 51%
  Know how to use technology well 275 62% 53%
  Be able to solve problems quickly 261 59% 50%
  None of the above 10 2% 3%
  Other 39 9% 9%
How do you use computers for schoolwork? (Check all that apply.)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Check on my grades 286 64% 24%
  Practice my writing 228 51% 36%
  Email, IM or Text my teachers 55 12% 8%
  Email, IM or Text my classmates about a project 71 16% 11%
  Get help from an online tutor 45 10% 8%
  Play educational games 276 62% 47%
  Work on projects with students in other countries 49 11% 9%
  Use online textbooks 99 22% 13%
  Take tests online 216 49% 31%
  Take a class online 74 17% 7%
  Use the internet for research 256 58% 50%
  Create a slide show or movie 80 18% 26%
  None of the above 13 3% 7%
How would you use cell phones or MP3 players for schoolwork? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Email or IM or Text a classmate 117 26% 20%
  Email or IM or Text my teacher 79 18% 12%
  To organize myself 221 50% 42%
  To find out about things going on at school 204 46% 31%
  To make or share music, or videos 162 36% 25%
  To work on projects with my classmates 173 39% 30%
  To play educational games 210 47% 30%
  To use the internet 184 41% 32%
  Other 35 8% 7%
  None of the above 48 11% 17%
In the past year, have you taken a class online? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Thought about taking an class online 65 15% 10%
  Took a class online for personal reasons (outside of school) 34 8% 5%
  Took a class that was part online 45 10% 5%
  Took a class online to learn more about a subject for a current class 84 19% 7%
  Took a class that was 100% online 77 17% 6%
  Not a part of online classes yet, but I would like to 100 22% 19%
  I am not interested in taking a class online 164 37% 51%
From what you know about taking classes online, why would you take this type of class? (Please respond even if you have not taken a class online. Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  To take a class not offered at my school 83 19% 13%
  To get extra help in a subject 182 41% 29%
  To learn more about a subject 209 47% 31%
  I have to as part of a class 57 13% 8%
  To get more attention from the teacher 41 9% 7%
  To work at my own speed 144 32% 21%
  I am not interested in taking a class online 97 22% 23%
  I do not know enough about online classes 81 18% 24%
  Other 31 7% 8%
What do you use most often when you play video or online games? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Cell phone games 163 37% 24%
  Computer games 315 71% 60%
  Video game systems, like Xbox or Wii 254 57% 51%
  Handheld games, like Nintendo DS 234 53% 46%
  Online games - multi-user 144 32% 26%
  Online games - single user 205 46% 37%
  I do not use any of these 11 2% 4%
  Other 33 7% 7%
How many hours a week do you play video or online games?
  # of Responses Average Hours National Average
  389 11.08 8.83
Besides winning, what do you like most about playing video or online games? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I can play with other kids 251 56% 46%
  I can play a game that interests me 308 69% 57%
  I can make new friends 196 44% 30%
  I can play on my own 255 57% 44%
  I can be someone else 154 35% 28%
  When I do things, the game changes 156 35% 26%
  I get some exercise 104 23% 16%
  I have to think about solving a problem 142 32% 27%
  I do not play video or online games 19 4% 4%
Why would you like to use video games for school work?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I would learn more about the subject. 236 53% 36%
  I would be more interested in the subject. 228 51% 34%
  I would learn how to work in teams. 149 33% 24%
  Games make it seem easier. 206 46% 35%
  School would be more interesting. 199 45% 32%
  I could work on my own. 157 35% 23%
  I could try new things through the game. 185 42% 30%
  I do not want to use video games for schoolwork. 66 15% 17%
  None of the above 24 5% 8%
What keeps you from using computers more at school? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Computers do not always work 137 31% 26%
  Not enough computers 115 26% 22%
  Internet or computers aren't fast enough 77 17% 17%
  Computers are not always available or easy to get to 123 28% 29%
  Software is old or not good enough 34 8% 10%
  I do not know how to use them 18 4% 3%
  Teachers do not know how to use them 14 3% 4%
  We only use computers in the computer lab 67 15% 26%
  None of the above 113 25% 16%
How is learning science important to your future? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I might want a job that uses science. 249 56% 51%
  To help me do well in high school. 287 64% 54%
  To learn how to solve problems. 209 47% 37%
  I do not think learning science is important. 49 11% 7%
  I do not know. 43 10% 10%
Think of your dream science classroom. What would be a part of your classroom? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  A teacher who is excited about science. 210 47% 41%
  Fun experiments. 336 76% 69%
  Computers with the Internet to research interesting topics. 237 53% 42%
  Using real tools like microscopes. 259 58% 50%
  Having experts come and talk to our class about science. 232 52% 40%
  Working with other students on projects. 237 53% 44%
  Reading the science textbook. 118 27% 18%
  Multi-media tools to create projects. 191 43% 36%
  Solving real life problems. 188 42% 35%
  None of the above. 19 4% 4%
In the future, are you thinking about getting a job in science, math, or computers?
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  No, those sound too hard. 29 7% 4%
  No, I like other things better. 121 27% 26%
  No, my parents say that other jobs are better. 18 4% 3%
  Maybe, I would like to know more about them. 76 17% 17%
  Yes, I am a little interested in a job like that. 56 13% 15%
  Yes, I am very interested in a job like that. 97 22% 20%
Read these sentences. Check the box if you agree with what they say. (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I think my school cares about me. 258 58% 51%
  I have more than 4 nice adults in my life (including my parents). 304 68% 54%
  I do sports or other fun classes outside of school. 282 63% 50%
  My parents and teachers help me to do well in school. 292 66% 56%
  I care about my school. 264 59% 50%
  There are lots of different kinds of people at my school. 257 58% 48%
  I think I will do well in the future. 272 61% 53%
  I feel safe. 265 60% 49%
  I laugh more than twice a day. 253 57% 46%
  I think school is fun and interesting. 209 47% 42%
  I do not agree with any of these sentences. 11 2% 3%
Have you done any of these things to help others? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  I volunteered my time (for example, read to someone, rescued dogs) 194 44% 34%
  I recycled things or bought things made from recycled materials. 205 46% 38%
  I did something to help others 278 62% 51%
  I started a project to help others 121 27% 19%
  I shared my ideas about how to fix a problem 213 48% 40%
  Other 55 12% 10%
  None 20 4% 8%
If you were making a new school for students, which of these would be part of your school? (Check all that apply)
  Response # of Responses % of Responses National %
  Personal laptops for each student to use 309 69% 58%
  Digital cameras, or video equipment for students to use 227 51% 41%
  Games 279 63% 51%
  Interactive white boards in every classroom 277 62% 49%
  Parents, teachers, and students using email or IM to talk 199 45% 33%
  More student time with computers and the internet 257 58% 43%
  Using my cell phone or MP3 player at school 212 48% 33%
  Unlimited student access to the internet 193 43% 32%
  Other 50 11% 13%
If you could make an online or video game about a topic that is important to you, what would it be about? How do you play it, what would kids learn from your game, what makes your game special?
Note: The best ideas for new games will be featured in a special Speak Up report next spring. You might see your idea in our report!
  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 that you are the school principal and you want to make sure every student feels important.   What would you do?
  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