1. AP Students May 27, 2014 Mrs. Daniel – AP Statistics
Paper vs. Pixel
AP Students
May 27, 2014
Mrs. Daniel – AP Statistics

2. Overall Summary:
Holistically, the purpose of the survey was to determine whether students preferred the transition from paper based learning to one of technology. The questions asked in the survey reflected different educational styles of paper versus pixel such as FLVS, textbooks, etc.. As a result, we found that although students are spending more time on computers, they still prefer paper based textbooks, exams, and a classroom setting. The younger high school students are more open to technology as to older students which was somewhat surprising, but they are becoming more accustomed to the transition with time.

3. Summary of Research Questions:
All of the questions pin point a separate usage of computers in our educational system today.
As we become more technologically oriented, schools and teachers have converted to computer based education through testing, teaching, websites, and textbooks.
Our questions try to uncover students’ opinion of whether they like the change or not.

4. Why We Chose This Topic:
We chose this topic because after the project was presented to us we had a side conversation about Chemistry. We were expressing our frustration with having to use the online book since it is more difficult and time consuming to flip through the pages to complete our homework assignment compared to a paper textbook which is not available for usage at home due to limited copies provided from our school.
From this we decided using the paper vs. pixel debate as an interesting topic for this survey.

5. Demographic Overview

6. Question: Do you have access to a computer/tablet at home or personally own such a device?
All respondents of the survey answered yes to the following question.
This was expected because in this day and age, such devices have become a basic necessity in our everyday lives especially for students in school.

7. Question: How often do you use a computer a day?
Overall, as students progress through out high school, they use the computer more often for longer intervals of time which would be expected.
In general, students use the computer for about 2-3 hours a day.
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8. Question: How often do you read per day?
Generally, there is no apparent change in proportionality of time spent reading as students get older. This may be due to more time spent on the computer.
When asked why they read, about half responded for both school and fun purposes, a third responded purely for school, and a sixth just for fun.

9. Question: Do you prefer taking exams online or on paper?
As students get older, they prefer paper exams as the survey results jump from 10% to 30% preference. This may be due to customization to SAT preparation and more experience with AP exams. A majority of freshman just take the FCAT which has been computer based for a few years.

10. Question: Do you prefer using an online textbook or paper textbook?
As students get older and take more advanced classes, they prefer paper textbooks. This may be due to scarce availability of AP textbooks online.
Of those whom prefer paper textbooks, math is most desired.

11. Question: How many teachers of yours have websites (Edmodo included)?
Teachers in higher grades are more likely to have websites or use Edmodo.
This was expected because as students take classes with a higher level of curriculum, this requires more organization, which is easier to provide to students through a website.
When asked how often websites are updated, 50% said weekly. Of those updated weekly, 25% found the teachers website to be useful.
Of those websites updated daily, 50% responded that the website was useful.

12. Question: Have you taken an online class or currently enrolled in one
Question: Have you taken an online class or currently enrolled in one? (FLVS, etc.)
About half of the respondents have taken an FLVS course.
As students get older they fulfill their graduation requirement, hence more have taken an online class.
Of those taking or have taken online classes (25), 7 of them have taken a core class, which has typically been a math graduation requirement, 8 have taken an elective, and 9 responded “other”.

13. Question: Do you prefer taking an online class as to class in school?

14. Potential Sources of Bias:
No seniors were surveyed – Undercoverage
Some students left questions unanswered or did not properly respond – Wording of Question
The survey was based on cluster sampling which may not be a true representation of all students in the school population.

15. Changes or Improvements:
Since there is a preference for paper based education, yet the state is moving towards a more computer based education and testing system, we should attempt to:
Make the transition for students smoother by taking baselines and interims online. Therefore when taking a final on a computer, students feel more comfortable and familiar with the program.
Require teachers to have a website that is useful and updated frequently so students and teachers are more organized and up to date.

16. Changes or Improvements cont.
3) Have more textbooks available for students to take home if needed/ wanted.
4) Have more accessible textbooks that are easier and better functioning to meet students’ needs.
5) Have it required to take an FLVS class in school with a teacher to supervise and help mentor students if needed.

17. Current Effective Policies:
Current effective policies in place today is the requirement of an online class by our school to graduate. By having this, students must become familiarized with this type of virtual schooling if they want to receive a high school diploma. Additionally, the school’s website allows all students of any class to have access to a calendar of events and all necessary information regarding school policy, regulations, and information .

18. Further Investigations
Other investigations or future surveys that would be helpful to this general question of “Paper vs Pixel” would be an in depth survey of students whom currently take/ have taken FLVS and their personal experience with this program. This survey would give a true validation of students’ overall preference to virtual learning as to in class learning.
Additionally, students could be surveyed on their opinion of the recent change of EOC and FCAT testing to computers and how they would feel if ACT , AP, or SAT were also transitioned from paper to pixel.