Michelle's survey post

I did finish tallying survey and then I set the results aside so that I could try to look at them more objectively that right after tallying.

So the top motivators are as follows:
BOYS GIRLS
free homework pass 29 class pet 49
extra recess 29 extra recess 40
class pet 29 lunch with teacher 40
lunch with teacher 22 prizes 31
extra computer time 22 free homework pass 25

So one thing that I observed is that our students generally prefer something simple as a motivator such as free homework pass, extra recess or a class pet. I wonder if boys like the extra computer time more for the games and do the girls prefer prizes for sharing with someone special?

As I look at the results one thing that pops out at me is that the total number of results posted, girls had 49 as their top while boys had 29. I will need to count the actual number of responses but I think I had close to the same number of boys and girls responding. I did notice on the boy surveys that most of them marked a few choices. Very few boys had more than 6 choices. While the girls for the most part did pick their favorite top ten. So I was wondering if this could be that females tend to pay attention to details and focused on the details of what the teacher directions were? I was also wondering if the boys did not put as many responses because they know what motivates them so why bother listing things that do not motivate them?

I now need to interview some teachers in how the survey might change what they do to motivate their students. After I complete those interviews, I will them post the survey results for all teachers and ask if they will reconsider what they use for motivators in their class.

My biggest task is now to delve into research. I am asking my blogging buddies to get on my case for this. My goal is to read each day and post a short summary statement of what I have read on the blog. I am getting excited for this project because I am starting to notices differences in what I am doing, even if it is only with myself.