Final Reflection


Future Changes
If we could redo the survey, we would make the following changes.
1. We would change it to allow more of an individualized approach because the students frequently used the same answer as their friends.  However, we did want the discussion between the students to understand each other.  Perhaps if we left the discussion at the end, it would be the best of both situations.
2. We would delete some of the questions because they did not make sense to this group.  However, if the diversity expands, it might be wise to include those questions.
3. We would reword some of the questions.  We did some of this at the beginning, but as we completed the survey, we noticed other ways to phrase the questions to make it easier to understand or provoke more response.  For example, we could have added which items of technology have been the most useful.
4. We would make more of the questions multiple choice with an option to add their own choice.  This would have allowed us to have more exact results.  For example, some students were specific about when they attended church, and others said a lot or not much.
5. We would also number the questions.  This would have allowed us to find the student answers with more ease.  It would also make it easier for students to follow along with the survey.


How We Changed
Every class always causes me to reexamine the way that I plan for lessons and how I deliver the lessons. For instance, some students are intimidated in groups, but sometimes pairs are less intimidating.  The space question helps a lot with grouping.
It's amazing that sometimes peer pressure for middle schoolers sometimes supercedes their values. The same happens with a person's culture often.  It is so easy for them to assimilate the behaviors of those around them.

--Lummie Harris
I knew the class was diverse before the survey, but I had no idea how many differences there were among students who on the outside look similar.  This project has given me a whole new respect for the individual in each person, and it has helped me understand these students better.
--Laura Miller


How We Met Our Goals
Our goal was to have students share their cultures, and in so doing, teach others about how they are alike and how they are different.  Not all of the students saw the value in this discussion, but many of them were anxious to talk about what makes them who they are, and the others were interested in what they had to say.


Updated May 4, 2006
Laura Miller
EDIT 6600
Email: chlov531 at uga.edu

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