Speech Survey

During the spring of 1999, we considered the problem of low test scores on the midterm exam. Before we could solve the problem, we had to understand the problem. Stop and think for a moment. If you were researching the problem of low test scores on a final exam, what information would you need to know to understand the problem? What questions would you need to ask? Then, look at the questions written below. These questions were asked on a student survey we gave in spring 1999.

• How many days have you been absent from Speech class this term?
• For which of the following reasons were you absent from any of your classes this term?
  sick/saw doctor
  sick/no doctor
  overslept/tired
  unprepared for class
  work
  lazy
  boring
  class vacation
  nothing to wear
  no motivation
  no childcare
  weather/ nice or bad
  family problems
  court/jury duty
  regularly scheduled doctor/dentist appointment
  other, please explain.
• What would had to happen for you to come to class on the days you were absent?
• Do your teachers take attendance? yes or no (circle one)
• In the space provided below, explain how your teacher taking or not taking attendance affects your class attendance.
• Please explain your teacher's attendance policies.
  Teacher's name
  Rewards for attending
  Penalties for absence
  Proof for excused absence?
• What techniques are used by your teachers use that you feel make their classes interesting?
• Approximately how often do your teachers assign homework?
  never
  almost never
  once a week
  twice a week
  daily
• Do homework assignments improve your attendance? yes or no (circle one) Why or why not?
• Do homework assignments hurt your attendance? yes or no (circle one) Why or why not?
• What percentage of students are absent in your classes % on test days? % on quiz days?
• Circle the grade you received on your Speech midterm exam. A B C D F
• How much time did you have to complete the test?
• Did you feel you had enough time to complete the test? yes or no (circle one)
• If you answered "no" to the above question, how much extra time would you have needed to finish the test?
• Not counting speechwriting time, approximately how much time do you spend studying for Speech class each week?
• # of days spent studying each week length of average study session in minutes
• What study techniques did you use for Speech class?
  "T" notes
  midterm review sheets in library
  crossword puzzles
  reviewed daily notes within 24 hour
  studying the night before the test
  reviewed all notes prior to each class session
  I rarely studied listening to midterm review tapes in library
  I never studied other, please explain.
  Please list the study techniques you found particularly helpful.
• What teaching techniques were particularly helpful for learning the material?
• Did any factors prevent you from studying? yes or no (circle one)
• If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the factors that prevented you from studying.
• Were there any Speech class areas in which you felt you needed extra help? yes or no (circle one)
• If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the areas in which you felt you needed extra help.
• To what extent did you participate in class and classroom discussions? never almost never sometimes frequently always
• How much sleep did you get the night before the test? hours
• How many credit hours are you currently taking? credit hours
• Do the credit hours you're currently taking negatively affect your academic performance? yes or no (circle one)
• If you answered "yes" to the above question, please explain the negative affects.
• On average, how many hours a week do your work? hours
• Do hours you're working negatively affect your academic performance? yes or no (circle one)
• If you answered "yes" to question #51, please explain the negative affects.
• Use the space provided below to write anything you feel is relevant to this survey but the survey format would not permit you to write.

Speech Survey Results

These are the actual results obtained from the Spring 1999 Speech student survey. Look over the results and see what factors do and don't seem to be affecting student test performance. You're looking for trends. For example, is there anything the "A" students are doing that the other students aren't doing?