Program Evaluation

Global Studies Initiative
Brief Teacher Survey April 2007

Using a three point scale, with 1 being the least and 3 the most:

  1. How much general knowledge did you have of China prior to the beginning of this school year?
  2. How much information did you learn as a teacher pertaining to China through the Global unit?
  3. How much information did you learn as a teacher dealing with writing curriculum through this unit?
  4. How much benefit did you see in the unit for yourself?
  5. How comfortable are you with the idea of teaching about China in years to come?

Global Studies Initiative
Brief Parent Survey April 2007

Please answer yes or no to questions 1-3.

  1. Do you feel your child’s general knowledge about China grew?
  2. Did your general knowledge about China grow through SJEDS’ global initiative?
  3. Did you sense, through your child, a sense of excitement about this subject?
  4. If you purchased tickets to somewhere in the world, where would SJEDS travel?
  5. Have a suggestion to share?

Year One Reflection- China Travel- Faculty:

Pro’s:

  • students enjoyed and learned
  • faculty stated that they learned about the possibilities with technology as well as about the country of study
  • increased and diversified school’s use of technology
  • worth the work when you saw the final product and heard students talking after
  • moved the school into a different direction regarding curriculum writing and implementation
  • opened eyes about the idea of “change” within a school
  • excitement over the activities in the school spread out to the school community

Con’s:

  • took more time than expected
  • teachers became behind in regular curriculum
  • pressure and stress to finish blogging activities in one day
  • bad time of year (before Christmas holiday)
  • school technology was not consistent
  • some students lost interest and were confused

Suggestions:

  • limit direct blog communication to the focus grade only
  • complete all activities (classroom blogging and “race”) after the
  • travelers return when all information is prepared and posted AND at teachers discretion (within limits)
  • provide a list of faculty and staff who are from or have been to the focus country
  • three people travel
  • begin planning earlier - provide background information and travel schedule to faculty during summer, so they may plan accordingly
  • update technology
  • blog should be used for response to travelers entries or exploration and discovery by students