Student+Poll+Eve+02

Student Poll
Curriculum is primarily planned //for// students.

What do //**they**// think they should be learning about in schools?

Post the responses you received to the student poll you conducted.

Please use a subheading (including your name) as part of your contribution.

NB: Hi Guys - please also click on the 'Discussions' link at the top of this page to view some of your other colleagues postings, which were inadvertantly posted on the wrong spot. (Sharon Fraser)

Posted 2/8/10 Amy Elliott

__**STUDENT POLL**__
==
 * The primary school that I am currently volunteering at is a very small school in Upwey, Sth East Melbourne. The grades consist of; prep/1, 2/3, 4/5 and 6. Having only four grades in the school with many mixed levels makes it extremely hard for the teachers to make assesments for each student. As I was on yard duty one day, I asked many of the students from age 5-13 what they thought was the most important subject in school, then asked what they thought wa s the most important subject to beable to get their dream job in the future. As I documented my findings, I realised how different each single student was, and how lucky they were to have the freedom of choice.**
 * student 1:**
 * Holly; a 5 year old loud and boystrous female said she though ART was the most important subject in school because 'it made school fun.' **
 * Holly thought ENGLISH was the most important subject for her dream job. (job unknown) 'because all jobs need English. **
 * Student 2: **
 * Daphne; a 6 year old quiet and reserved friend of Holly, said exactly the same as holly in both areas. not a surprise there. :) **
 * Student 3: **
 * Leila; a dreamy 5 year old simply couldn't understand my question at all. This made me think that she wasn't ready to start school and wasn't the dreamy girl I thought she was; she doesn't make sence of simple questions. "She will stay down next year from my assesment' (Mrs Drew ) **
 * Student 4: **
 * Leeson; An intelligent 7 year old in the prep/1 class thought SCIENCE was the most important subject, 'because it makes you think' **
 * Leeson thought MATHEMATICS would be most important to take him to his dream job as a 'discoverer' **
 * Student 5: **
 * Dave; a 9 year old in grade 4 playing basket ball said P.E was the most important 'because it keeps you energized, and that helps you learn'. **
 * Dave thought P.E would still be the most important to take him to his dream job 'a P.E teacher' **
 * Student 6: **
 * Dave's friend Kyle a seven year old in grade 3 said MATHEMATICS and ENGLISH was the most important 'because that's what you need in everything' **
 * Kyle still thought MATHEMATICS and ENGLISH would take him to his dream job. (unknown) **
 * Until the age of around 9-10 I dont think the students saw school as development to the rest of their lives. School is just fun. As they get older and start to understand why they are there; I am sure their ideas will change. **
 * I though it would be interesting to ask my boss (a cafe owner and events manager) and my work mate (a singer sonwriter) what they thought was the most important. **
 * Adult 1: **
 * my boss; 'Is this a trick question?' (Eventually he said English.) 'because communication has been the key to my life' **
 * Adult: 2: **
 * my workmate; 'Art, deffinatley art, expression is honesty to enable you to follow your true dreams' **
 * So very interesting! **

== Posted by Fiona Nolan 30/07/2010 **__ Student Poll __** I spoke with a small number of students from age 8 to 13. The students I work with are recently arrived migrants and the majority are either yet to attend or have only recently commenced at mainstream schools.

Their grasp on English ranges from strong to basic and many perform everyday tasks for their parents due to language issues.

The students responses were in line with their background and daily life. All of them felt the need to learn practical English to enable them to act for their parents in places such as Medicare, Centrelink, banks and supermarkets. A couple said they wanted to learn English to help their families later in life.

The students also wanted to learn more about everyday life in Australia and other students their age. Sport was a popular choice and learning the rules to AFL was popular with the boys. Music and dance were also mentioned, as was art.

I think it would be interesting to ask this question again as the students progress within the education system as there could be some interesting changes to their responses over the months and years.

Ryan Bruce July 29 I polled 3 groups of a few students from grade 1&2, 3&4 and 5&6. All the students thought that literacy and maths were an important part of their education although they didn’t always enjoy math and English. The grade 1’s and 2’s enjoyed shared reading activities but when asked what they thought should be taught; the only response I received was I don’t know. The 3&4’s said they thought that they were being taught well. They said maths and English were important to them. The grade 5’s and 6’s had some good thoughts. They thought Literacy, Maths, sport; Information technology and Art should be part of the curriculum. The students thought integrated studies and religion should be optional or excluded. They thought drama, geography, history and home economics should be an option. The senior students said that they found the aboriginal topics they were exploring somewhat interesting. The students didn’t always get excited about learning in the class. In relation to student and media views, the students didn’t always know what was best for them. So this is the reason the differences might exist.

Dan Mitchelson July 27 Students of a younger age group or mentality seem to think that what is taught today in schools is irrelevant because they don’t make the connection that it applies to them or that it will in the future. Some students like the idea of only attending school for the social aspect as shown in some of their responses ie “ I like recess and lunch best”. It is interesting to note that out of the six students surveyed, only one wrote this answer. They do seem to enjoy hands on classes including sport, art or technical subjects. Particular teachers caught their attention during this survey and were mentioned by name as “favorites”. The only real link I discovered was that they did enjoy school as a whole but would prefer more engaging tasks and methods of being involved. This is not categorically the case as a small cohort was questioned.

Vicki Goyen July 27 The Yr 7 class I have worked with this year was asked this question by their Pastoral Care Leader before the end of last term. They were asked to write down what they think they should be learning in school, and what subjects they would like to do. They were also asked to consider what they would like to be doing when they leave school and what education they need to realise their dreams/goals. The majority displayed a commonsense approach, saying that without the right levels of maths and English they wouldn't get the type of jobs they would like when they leave school. "...a good education equals a good job which equals good money to live on..." Some students wanted a wider choice of languages to learn, other than Japanese. Others said they should be using ICT in all subjects because "...there aren't many jobs that don't use computer programs..." Some answers included career-oriented subject choices at an earlier stage in their secondary education.

Just to let you know we are on school holidays at the moment so will post answers when school returns - Kathryn Lock, 27/07/10 Student Poll, views from an inner Melbourne primary school playground As I am currently on PE1, I decided to ask some of the students at the school what they would like to learn at school and what they thought was important. A boy in grade six gave the following answer- · Spelling and literacy · Engineering · Film making · Architecture · All about the world, like how it moves · Evolution · Computing · Maths · Electronics, like technology and robots

Two girls in grade four want to learn- · French · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Science · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Literacy · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Numeracy, especially about money · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Arts · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Food technology <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Two boys and a girl in grade three want to be taught- · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Italian and other different languages · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Mechanics · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Woodwork · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Architecture · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The solar system · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">How to make things out of nature · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Science · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">How to fly an aeroplane · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Graffiti art · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Doing stuff outside · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Animation · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Film making · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Cooking · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Trivia question and answers · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Finding out how things work <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">I also asked my son who is in grade four. He thought that what he learnt at school was all important, especially the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. He would like to learn though- · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Film making · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Photography · <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Architecture and design <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">All the children I spoke to thought what they learn at school is worthwhile learning. They all thought numeracy, literacy, ICT and the Arts were important. What was interesting was their interest in film making and architecture, as well as cooking. <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The most fascinating part of my discussion with the grade three students was about the delivery of the curriculum. They hated sitting on the floor for long periods of time. They wanted to learn by doing and discovery, not listening and instructing. My own child spoke of the excitement of the unit ‘i-learn’, in which he is leading his own inquiry into design and making a model of a hotel. <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Kazz Stafford 26/7/10

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Student poll:** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">From conducting this poll I learnt that most students believe it is important to learn maths and how to read and write. Some students thought cooking should be taught in schools, along with driving a car, counting money and learning about Australia's past. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The girls that I asked questions of seemed to have sensible answers such as maths, reading, computers etc, whereas most boys came up with answers such as driving cars, building motorbikes, playing xbox. Many of these would most likely not come up in the media. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maybe these differences exist because the boys are not engaged in the current curriculum. The want to learn about things that they find interesting and fun. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Posted by Bec Prince - 25/07/2010

Student Poll - Rhonda Terjesen 24/7/10

I had the opportunity to ask students from Prep to grade six the question of what they would like to learn at school.

Most of the students, surprisingly, said reading, writing and maths, however some said that they understand why they have to learn these subjects, but they didn't necessarily like them.

Suggestions of what they would like to learn that is not currently being taught at their school:

Drama Martial Arts Sewing Cooking

When I asked them about the specialist classes they have such as music and LOTE, the majority enjoyed music but most did not enjoy LOTE (German).

The findings from my poll were interesting in that the students were keen to learn subjects linked to life skills. END.

I interviewed ten children ranging from grade 5 to year 10. The majority of them, 8, said that they thought 'life skills' should be part of the curriculum. Two children, one grade 5 girl and one grade 6 boy, said that there should be more computer and technology taught at the primary school level. But they all also said that, subjects such as english and maths were important aswell. I think the basic difference between the media and the student's responses was simply that the media reports on the big picture and takes in the views of many stakeholders. Where as the children are interested only in what effects them directly

Jessica Backhaus Student Poll

I asked 10 students what **//they//** wanted to learn about in school and here are their responses. It was interesting to see that a majority of what kids want to learn falls into the arts, yet the emphases is on Literacy and Numeracy. Art includes these two dimensions as without them you wouldnt be able to draw in perspective or read instructions or information on the computer. The students were all eagerly keen to draw and as drawing is a form of expression it makes sense to utelize their passion and include their ideas and opionions into planning activities that appeal to them.

Ben 10 ( a cartoon) animals bikes dolls drawing bakugan (cartoon) outdoor games drawing painting cooking
 * Prep Students**
 * Grade 1/2 Students **


 * Grade 3/4**

Drawing/sketching clay sculpting Ninetendo DS games computer games


 * Grade 5/6**

Grafitti sketching sport Photography Manga Art

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Student Poll <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I asked several of the children in the 1/2 grade I integrate in. One thing I see in this class is that the children are all genuinely enthusiastic about learning. The teacher is brilliant and teaches in a way which grasps their attention. 2 of the girls I asked said that they would like to do more art as both want to be artist when they are older. All of the students I asked love maths, which surprised, especially mental maths. They also love science and working/playing on school computers. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Other favorite subjects were outside play - LOL. I also asked my daughter and she said she wants to learn how to write numbers and how to spell things. Art - she wanted to learn how to draw all sorts of things and she also wanted to learn how to play nicely with others (she is 6 years). <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Melissa HaLL