Educational Technology: Student Interest Surveys

  

Developing Student-Centered Classrooms Using Student-Preference Surveys

2/2/25

By Mackenzie Regan

As an aspiring teacher who has been a student herself for many years now, I have learned the importance of utilizing certain strategies inside the classroom. Something I have always enjoyed throughout my school career has been student interest surveys. Whether my new teacher is asking me about my hobbies, my learning styles, or my pet’s name, it is nice to know that they care about such things.

Teacher’s Perspective

    As a teacher, it is crucial to know our students so that we can know and meet each of their unique needs. We are able to meet our student’s learning goals when we understand their learning preferences. As an added bonus, using something like a spreadsheet or a google form, can allow for students to tell you things they want you to know about them that they may feel uncomfortable sharing out loud. (Inclusive Learning 365, p. 13). As educators, we can ask students to share things, like how they feel about certain classroom routines or what they feel their learning styles are. 

Student’s Perspective 

    As a student, I enjoyed when my teachers would ask questions such as, “What is something I should know about you?” I personally liked this question since it allowed for an open opportunity to expose something about myself that I wouldn’t normally feel comfortable sharing. In addition to being able to share details about myself, I also could tell my teacher interesting things about me, which made me feel like my teacher cared about me as an individual. 

    Overall, student interest surveys are a great way to use technology in an educational setting. It not only benefits the teachers, but also the students. Another great thing about them is you can formulate them to your students and to your needs as their teacher. You can even make new ones for different times during the years, to see how your students are changing! (Inclusive Learning, p. 13).