University of California at Berkeley Museum of Paleontology (UCMP)

Teacher Survey - Spring 2004

Rockman et al , an independent firm specializing in the evaluation of technology and learning, is working with the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) to evaluate the effectiveness of its evolution website. The website aims to help teachers better understand evolution and offers strategies for teaching evolution.

Now that you've visited the website, please reflect on its content and organization. All responses will be kept confidential. No names will be used in our reports. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes.

Please remember to click the Submit button at the end of this survey.  

Thank you for your time and honest feedback!

Use and Usefulness

 

1. Overall, how useful is the website to you?

Not at all useful

Somewhat useful Useful Very useful
Please explain your rating.
 
2. Which of the following describes how you have used the website. Please check all that apply.

Learn about the nature of science (Process, principles, characteristics, cultural context)

Learn about evolution topics (Evolution 101: definitions, patterns, mechanisms, microevolution, speciation, macroevolution)

Learn about lines of evidence - or science of - evolution (fossil evidence, homologies, distribution in time and space, evidence by example)
Learn about the relevance of evolutionary biology (medical science, agriculture, conservation)    
Learn about the history of evolutionary thought (pre-1800s to present, earth's history, life's history, mechanisms, development and genetics)
Investigate issues based on personal curiosity
Teach or facilitate lessons from the website with students in my classroom
Refer students to particular lessons or content as homework assignments or independent work (not guided by teacher)
Create my own activities or lessons from website material
Use for roles outside of classroom setting (e.g. staff training, mentoring, department meetings)
Other:
 
3. How useful is the website for teaching evolution?

Not at all useful

Somewhat useful Useful Very useful Not applicable
Please explain your rating.
4a. Have you used any of the lessons from the website with students? Yes No
4b. If no, you have not used lessons, why not?
Not appropriate Not enough class time I did not access the lessons Other:

4c. If yes, you have used lessons from the website, were the lessons effective? Yes No

If no, why weren't they effective?

 
4d. If yes, note the lessons that you used and describe them below.

Lesson:

Please check the boxes below that describe the lesson you used.

Grade appropriate

Easy to use in your classroom

Effective in teaching intended concepts

High student engagement level

Lesson:

Please check the boxes below that describe the lesson you used.

Grade appropriate

Easy to use in your classroom

Effective in teaching intended concepts

High student engagement level

Lesson:

Please check the boxes below that describe the lesson you used.

Grade appropriate

Easy to use in your classroom

Effective in teaching intended concepts

High student engagement level

Lesson:

Please check the boxes below that describe the lesson you used.

Grade appropriate

Easy to use in your classroom

Effective in teaching intended concepts

High student engagement level

   
4e. Please add any additional comments about the lessons.
 
5. Please read the following statements and check the choices that best reflect your experience and intentions.
  I have done this. I plan to do this. I do not plan to do this.
Have students vote on creationism vs. evolution
Have students learn the "V.I.S.T" evolution fundamentals: Variation, Inheritance, Selection, Time
Teach alternative scientific theories to evolution
Have students distinguish between hypothesis and theory
Teach that life has been on earth for a long time
Teach that life on earth has changed over time
 
6a. What other resources support your teaching about evolution? Check all that apply.
I use the following resources:

Textbooks

Printed materials (besides textbooks)

Internet (besides UCMP website)

Professional conferences

Colleagues

Field trips

Other:

 
6b. Describe how you envision using the UCMP evolution website in conjunction with the other resources.

 

Impact

 

1. To what extent has the website influenced your approach to teaching evolution? Rate the level of influence

No influence Some influence Large influence

Please comment on how the website has, or has not, influenced your teaching practices. If applicable, note teaching strategies that you have learned from the website.

 
2. To what extent has the website influenced your approach to teaching other areas of science? Rate the level of influence.
No influence Some influence Large influence

Please comment on how the website has, or has not, influenced your teaching practices. If applicable, note teaching strategies that you learned from the website.

 
3. Please rate the following statements.
Because of the evolution website...
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

Strongly agree

Not applicable

I have a better understanding of evolution.

I want to learn more about evolution.

I am better prepared to teach evolution.

I am more comfortable teaching evolution.

My interest in teaching evolution has increased.

I still have outdated information on evolution.

I am aware of more resources related to teaching evolution.

My interest in science has increased.

I understand the relevance of evolution to my life.

My students interest in evaluation has increased.

 
4. Compare your comfort level prior to interacting with the website with your current comfort level in answering the questions below if asked by a student or parent. How comfortable would you feel answering the question today compared to before you viewed the website?
Potential challenging questions asked by student or parent
Still not comfortable
Somewhat more comfortable
More comfortable
Much more comfortable
Not applicable

Does evolution mean that God did not create man?

Why don't you also teach about creationism?

Does evolution mean that we descended from apes?
How can we be certain that evolution occurred?
How can scientists make conclusions about evolution when there are gaps in the fossil records.
Please feel free to add comments related to how the website has helped you address challenging aspects of teaching evolution.

 

General Questions

 
1. Characterize the overall tone of the website. Please check all that apply.

Clear

Unclear

Too complicated Easy to understand

Sophisticated

Lighthearted and fun

Too scientific Just right

Other:

 
2. Characterize the overall organization of the website. Please check all that apply.

Logical

Confusing

Easy to navigate

Other:
 
3. Have you recommended the website to colleagues? Yes No If yes, may we contact them for feedback? Please provide:
Name: Email:
Name: Email:

Name: Email:

 
4. How much time have you spent on the website? Approximately hours from a school computer
Approximately hours from my home computer
Approximately hours from (other)
 
5. Please explain any barriers or challenges to using the website.
 
6. Please share suggestions on improving the website for teachers.
 

We are interested in following up with a random sample of survey respondents. Please provide your current email address (important for scheduling), phone number, and the best time to reach you.

Email:

Tel::

Best time to contact:

If you are not interested in being contacted for a brief telephone interview (approximately 15-20 minutes), please check here
 
UCMP will be launching a student centered website. Are you interested in using the website with your students? Yes No
 

Please feel free to share additional comments.

 

 THANK YOU!

If you have any questions or comments, contact nicole@rockman.com

Please click the submit button once.