GoogleCodeIn2012/Assessment


 * Background: Some children have been using Sugar for almost five years, and yet we have little quantitative data on what impact it has had on their learning.


 * Task: Research how Sugar is used by students. What is being learned? Survey students and teachers. How well does it deliver its goals?


 * Contact: Sugar Learning team

Research Background:

During my free block, I went to seven teachers classrooms with sugar on a stick. While their class was working on some assignments I personally sat down, and showed the teachers Sugar. After showing them a few things, I let them browse for themselves. They opened a few activities, and played around for around 30 min. Following the initial experience, they answered a few questions, and let me talk to a few students. Each student had 10+ min. to get an initial look at Sugar. They asked me a few questions, and I answered them. I then showed them a few new things, and asked a similar set of questions. Immediately following their answers, I thanked them for their time and went to the next classroom after thanking everyone for their time.

Having shown Sugar to a few students and teachers, SugarLabs is performing excellent. I asked each person a set of questions pertaining to Sugar, and how they liked it. The responses are below:

Teacher&rsquo;s Answers:

Q.) How did you enjoy collaboration in Sugar?

A.) I was able to proof-read a student&rsquo;s paper without leaving my computer, collaboration can improve, but as it stands it is a very decent product.

Q.) How many activities did you try, and would you use them in your unit plans?

A.) I know there are a lot, but I only tried around five. I would use a majority of them in my classroom lesson plans. (Journal, Maps, Etc.)

Q.) What was your first impression of Sugar?

A.) It was confusing at first, but after I messed around with it for a while I understood it a lot more.

Q.) If given the opportunity would you use Sugar in your everyday classroom environment?

A.) Yes, It definitely has a lot of potential, I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.

 Student Opinions:

I asked students a few questions after showing them Sugar. They provided some very positive answers/responses. Some even asked the teachers to use it in the class.

Q.) Did you learn anything using Sugar?

A.) I was skeptical at first, but then I learned something new. Sugar is a very interesting thing.

Q.) What activity did you like most?

A.) I preferred Journal/Write it worked excellent, while I typed a five paragraph essay for class.

Q.) Given the opportunity, would you like to use Sugar again?

A.) Of Course! I might even develop a few activities for it; it was very fun.

Q.) Are you going to download Sugar at home?

A.) I want to play around with it a little more, and see what I can do, so yeah.

Q.) What would you add to Sugar?

A.) I would like more activities, but who wouldn&rsquo;t?