Interest surveys, Questionnaires, and Interviews

1. Interest surveys, Questionnaires, and Interviews Samantha Simcik

2. What are they? • Interest surveys, questionnaires, and interviews are all ways to gather information for a particular context from students. • An interest survey is a checklist to survey types of books students are interested in, while an interview is based upon asking open ended questions to get students to elaborate on a specific context. • Can be given at any time during the school year when more information is needed about the students.

3. Benefits • Allows students to feel like their voice is being heard, and their opinions count-especially if results are used. • Allows teachers to learn about students’ prior successes and challenges, and design instruction accordingly • Gives students the opportunity to reflect on their past learning experiences • Allows the teacher to form groups based on common interests, skill level, etc to meet individual needs of students

4. First Week of Middle School Math Class • 1. This survey can be given in the beginning of the year to students to understand what types of mathematics they enjoy most. Commonly chosen ones: focus Few students for each: expert groups for multiple representations of a concept. • 2. This gives the teacher basic knowledge on how students view reading in mathematics. This can be beneficial in planning activities that have students address misconceptions and get the most out of their readings.

5. References • Brozo, W. G., Fisher, D. B., Frey, N., & Ivey, G. (2006). 50 content area strategies for adolescent literacy (50 Teaching Strategies Series) (Spi ed.). Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall.