Post Instruction - Writing, writing, writing... (and statistical analysis)

At this stage, it is all about the creative project write-up.  This involves analyzing the pre and post survey data and reporting on the significance of my findings.  Thus far, evaluating the curriculum based on someone else's survey is not looking as promising as I hoped. 

The survey consists of 61 questions that have been well vetted with over 900 students.  In the past use of this survey, the two researchers reported on their findings without there being an instructional treatment and a post survey.  I am using their survey instrument to see if there has been a change in content knowledge, as well as attitude and behavior after my instructional treatment.

I can report, from my preliminary findings, that there was a statistically significant improvement in content knowledge (although the overall scores are very low). 

I do not see, though, in my first run through of the data, a change in attitude or behavior.  In fact, for most of these questions the scores went down slightly.  The stat picture you see to the right comes from the question, "Energy education should be an important part of every school’s curriculum."  As you can see, the post survey results were lower than the pre survey results.  In this instance, the students in my study group neither agreed nor disagreed, that energy is an important academic subject.  Well, at least they didn't strongly disagree!

I am still trying to sort out my conclusions with regards to my findings.  I do feel that my curriculum is viable, however, I did not "teach to the survey."  By this I mean that there were many instances where I hoped I was leading the students to make a connection between what they were learning and some of the questions on the survey (such as should every appliance come with a sticker detailing its energy requirements).  

There will be more on the writing portion of my project as I move through the process.