Speak Up 2007 Grades 6 - 8   District: NORTH SCHUYLKILL SD   Results based on 151 survey(s). What grade are you in?   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Grade 6 151 100% 36%   Grade 7 0 0% 32%   Grade 8 0 0% 32%   Grade 9 0 0% 0%   Grade 10 0 0% 0%   Grade 11 0 0% 0%   Grade 12 0 0% 0% Are you . . .   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Female 82 54% 49%   Male 68 45% 50% Thinking about the other students in your class, do you consider yourself…   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   An advanced tech user – more expert than most of the students at my school 53 35% 22%   An average tech user – the same as most of the students at my school 88 58% 70%   A beginner – below the skills of most of the students at my school 9 6% 6% What kind of computer access do you have at home?   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   A computer with no Internet access 6 4% 9%   A computer with "dial-up" or slow Internet access 21 14% 13%   A computer with "DSL," "Cable" or fast Internet access 116 77% 68%   I do not have a computer that I can use at my home. 5 3% 8% What types of electronic devices do you have access to for your own use? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Simple cell phone (without web access) 78 52% 52%   Personal computer - desktop 111 74% 52%   Personal computer - laptop 60 40% 31%   Music or video device (e.g. MP3 player or iPod) 129 85% 76%   Gamer player (hand-held or console) 133 88% 70%   Personal digital assistant (PDA) 26 17% 10%   Smartphone (combo cell phone/PDA) 28 19% 13%   Other 69 46% 45% Which of these activities do you regularly do using technology? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Create and post videos online 19 13% 15%   Download music 95 63% 60%   Go to TV show websites to give feedback or vote 59 39% 27%   Maintain a personal website like MySpace or Facebook 67 44% 40%   Participate in virtual reality environments like Second Life 36 24% 10%   Play video or online games 129 85% 72%   Read or post blog or wiki entries 22 15% 14%   Remix content (such as music, video, text) to create something new 33 22% 21%   E-mail 90 60% 58%   Instant Message 77 51% 45%   Text Message 59 39% 40%   None of the above 3 2% 4% 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 46 30% 42%   Cookies and popup ads 111 74% 69%   Harassed by someone online (Cyberbullying) 60 40% 35%   False information on social networking sites/personal website 65 43% 40%   Online predators 77 51% 48%   Paying for music downloads 60 40% 44%   Internet speed is too slow for what I need to do 69 46% 51%   Spam 89 59% 51%   Trying to figure out if information from the web is accurate 55 36% 37%   Websites that require you to register on their site to get information 72 48% 49%   Paying for access to the Internet in public places 42 28% 34%   Some people not having access to the Internet 37 25% 26%   Too much information 39 26% 19%   None of the above 7 5% 3%   Other 19 13% 11% Which of these skills is most important for you to be successful in the 21st century? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Ability to work with people from all over the world 90 60% 58%   Collaboration and teamwork skills 85 56% 53%   Ability to communicate in more than one language 90 60% 53%   Communication skills 87 58% 58%   Ability to learn new things 110 73% 67%   Creativity 109 72% 66%   Know how to use technology effectively 94 62% 61%   Problem solving and critical thinking skills 94 62% 54%   Information and media literacy skills 74 49% 40%   None of the above 5 3% 4%   Other 12 8% 7% Do you think your school is preparing you with the skills that you will need to get a good job in the future?   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Yes 112 74% 50%   No 6 4% 10%   Not sure 8 5% 14%   No opinion 1 1% 6%   I have not thought about this before. 11 7% 13% How do you use technology for schoolwork? (Check all that apply.)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Check on assignments or grades online 111 74% 52%   Complete writing assignments 125 83% 69%   Conduct online research 103 68% 65%   Conduct virtual experiments or simulations 30 20% 18%   Create slide shows, videos or web pages for an assignment 79 52% 52%   Email, IM or Text classmates about assignments 65 43% 36%   Email, IM or Text teachers about assignments 40 26% 21%   Get help from an online tutor 22 15% 9%   Listen to a podcast for a class 28 19% 9%   Play educational games 98 65% 40%   Take a class online 34 23% 8%   Take tests online 80 53% 30%   Use my personal website to collaborate with classmates on a project 15 10% 12%   Use online textbooks or other online curriculum 42 28% 26%   Work on projects with students in other countries 9 6% 7%   Other 12 8% 6% In the past 12 months, how have you been involved with classes taught online? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Researched taking an online class 13 9% 7%   Took a class online for personal reasons (outside of school) 14 9% 5%   Took a class that included an online component. 11 7% 5%   Took a class online to learn more about a subject for a current class 23 15% 7%   Took a class that was 100% online. 40 26% 5%   No involvement yet - but I am interested in taking a class online. 19 13% 24%   I am not interested in taking a class online. 73 48% 53% 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 33 22% 25%   To get extra help in a subject. 58 38% 39%   The online class fit into my schedule. 16 11% 15%   To learn about the subject 59 39% 28%   To earn college credit 26 17% 30%   It is required to graduate from my school 15 10% 11%   It is required as part of a class 22 15% 11%   To get more personalized attention from the teacher 9 6% 9%   To work at my own pace 34 23% 28%   I am not interested in taking a class online. 46 30% 25%   I do not know enough about online classes. 18 12% 25%   Other 16 11% 8% In the past 12 months, what types of classes have you taken online? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Advanced/Honors Course 2 1% 3%   AP or IB Course 0 0% 1%   Career Technical Education or Job Training Class 3 2% 3%   Driver's Education 3 2% 2%   English 31 21% 8%   Foreign Language 4 3% 4%   Health 5 3% 4%   Math 66 44% 13%   Remedial Support 2 1% 1%   Science 16 11% 9%   Social Studies/History 12 8% 7%   Test Prep Courses 47 31% 4%   I have not taken a course online. 56 37% 64%   Other 24 16% 6% In some schools, students use mobile devices (cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs etc) to help with schoolwork. How would you like to use a mobile device to help you with your schoolwork? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Email or IM or Text a classmate 64 42% 50%   Email or IM or Text my teacher 48 32% 29%   Conduct Internet research 73 48% 48%   Access social networking sites (e.g. Facebook or MySpace) 41 27% 26%   To share and edit calendars, or organize bookmarks 45 30% 26%   To upload or download information from my school's portal 50 33% 28%   To create or share documents, videos or podcasts 40 26% 31%   To work on projects with my classmates 75 50% 50%   To play educational games 74 49% 36%   None of the above 18 12% 10%   Other 7 5% 8% How could your school make it easier for you to work electronically? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Let me use my own laptop, cellphone or other mobile device 92 61% 61%   Provide access to social networking sites 44 29% 32%   Let me access software applications from any computer at school or home 45 30% 35%   Let me access my school projects from any computer 66 44% 49%   Provide tools for me to organize my school work 63 42% 42%   Provide tools for me to communicate with my classmates 77 51% 43%   Provide tools for me to communicate with my teacher 56 37% 31%   Unlimited internet access 58 38% 49%   None of the above 8 5% 6%   Other 6 4% 5% What types of activities do you most often do on your personal website (MySpace, Facebook, Xanga, etc)? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Advocate for a cause 6 4% 5%   Email friends I see all of the time 68 45% 44%   Email friends that I do not see that often 54 36% 40%   Find groups and individuals with common interests or hobbies 18 12% 15%   "Friend" someone I probably would not talk to in person 26 17% 18%   Plan my calendar to make it easier for scheduling with friends 24 16% 15%   Post a bulletin looking for help on a school assignment or project 22 15% 16%   Post a message on someone's "wall" 21 14% 17%   Share photos and information about myself and my friends, or link to my favorite things (ex. music, movies, websites) 46 30% 27%   Upload from my cell phone 31 21% 20%   Share music 59 39% 36%   Use new applications such as rating movies, leaving a icon, drawing on my profile 36 24% 17%   View people in my school network 23 15% 17%   Work on group projects for school 26 17% 17%   I don't have a personal website but would like to have one 24 16% 17%   I am not interested in having a personal website 36 24% 19% What device or format do you most often use when playing video or online games? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Cell phone based game 59 39% 29%   Computer software 95 63% 48%   Console video player based games 76 50% 43%   Handheld game 92 61% 43%   Web-based multiple player games 57 38% 31%   Web-based single player games 80 53% 36%   I don't use any of these 5 3% 9%   Other 14 9% 8% How many hours per week do you play video or online games?   # of Responses Average Hours National Average   134 13.53 9.87 Besides winning, what do you like most about playing video or online games? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Ability to take risks in a safe environment 40 26% 28%   Competing with other players 88 58% 51%   Customizing the game to my interests 66 44% 37%   Developing critical thinking and problem solving skills 43 28% 26%   Finding ways to be successful in the game 93 62% 47%   The high level of activity in the game 86 57% 46%   Making decisions that change the outcome of the game 61 40% 33%   Making new friends 69 46% 32%   Playing on my own 81 54% 38%   Role playing in a simulated environment 35 23% 23%   The game gets harder the more I play 75 50% 40%   I don't play video or online games. 5 3% 10% What do you think would be the benefits if video or online games were part of your regular schoolwork or classroom activities? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   I would learn more about the subject. 92 61% 48%   I would be more engaged in the subject. 75 50% 47%   I would learn how to work in teams. 77 51% 38%   Games make it easier to understand difficult concepts 100 66% 51%   I can see the direct results of my problem solving efforts. 55 36% 34%   It would be more interesting to practice problems. 80 53% 43%   I would be directing my own learning. 53 35% 34%   I would go beyond the basic assignment and try new things through the game. 66 44% 37%   I would be better able to connect the real world to the subject matter. 39 26% 29%   None of the above 17 11% 13% Besides not having enough time in your school day to use technology, what are the other major obstacles you face using technology at your school? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Assignments don't take advantage of technology 38 25% 29%   Computers are old, slow, broken or freeze up 35 23% 29%   I cannot access my personal email account or send email or IM to classmates 55 36% 35%   There are rules against using technology at my school 44 29% 39%   I do not have my own computer to use at school 25 17% 26%   I don't have the skills I need 12 8% 9%   Internet access is slow or does not always work 37 25% 31%   Not enough computers, printers, scanners, other digital equipment 25 17% 24%   School filters or firewalls block websites I need 26 17% 36%   Software is old or not good enough for what I need 12 8% 17%   Teachers don't know how to use the technology 15 10% 11%   Teachers limit our technology use 45 30% 39%   Other 24 16% 12% 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. 100 66% 48%   To help me get into college. 104 69% 57%   To graduate from high school. 101 67% 55%   It helps me develop my problem solving and critical thinking skills 77 51% 40%   It will help me make informed decisions in the future. 80 53% 39%   Learning science is not important to my future. 19 13% 12%   I don't know. 15 10% 13% Imagine your ultimate science classroom. Which of the following would be an essential part of that classroom? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Learning from a teacher who is excited about science. 103 68% 55%   Using animations to help me visualize difficult concepts. 74 49% 47%   Practicing what I have learned using interactive simulations. 74 49% 41%   Conducting real research on topics that I am most interested in. 77 51% 44%   Having experts come and speak to our class about science careers. 61 40% 40%   Working with other students on projects. 91 60% 53%   Reading the science textbook. 52 34% 20%   Using standard lab tools to conduct scientific investigations. 64 42% 44%   Using technology based tools to conduct scientific investigations. 65 43% 43%   Understanding why science is relevant to my life. 55 36% 35%   Using visualizing software to help me organize ideas. 53 35% 33%   Using online databases to do research. 55 36% 33%   Creating multi-media presentations of my scientific findings. 36 24% 30%   Other 12 8% 8% Our national leaders would like to have more students pursue careers in science, technology, math, or engineering. Right now, are you interested in a job or career in any of those fields?   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   No, those subjects are too hard for me. 2 1% 4%   No, my strengths are in other areas. 13 9% 11%   No, my parents say that other jobs are better. 1 1% 2%   No, those subjects are not interesting to me. 15 10% 11%   Maybe, I would like to know more about those jobs or careers. 38 25% 22%   Yes, I am somewhat interested in a job or career in those fields. 34 23% 15%   Yes, I am very interested in a job or career in those fields. 32 21% 17% Which of the following strategies would help you get more interested in a career that uses science, technology, engineering or math? (Check all that apply)   Response # of Responses % of Responses National %   Talking to professionals in those careers about their jobs. 86 57% 40%   Providing scholarships to college to study in those academic areas. 72 48% 36%   Participating in after school programs. 54 36% 27%   Classroom instruction that ties academic material to real world problems.