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We asked teachers whose students participated in our 2009-2010 Student Voices Contest to complete a survey about their experience with the program. The data we collected has helped inform our creation of a comprehensive curriculum to address the issue of gun violence with students in grades 1-12.
Teachers who responded to the survey, across the board were interested in additional materials and resources to supplement what they have been doing with the contest in their classrooms. Teachers most strongly showed an interest in having technology
based materials such as videos and power point presentations for their students. Teachers also showed a significantly strong interest in having guest speakers, prepared lesson plans and tools to use contest entries as a classroom assessment. Based on
this feedback, ICHV will produce more resources for teachers using the contest in their classroom as well as follow up with all teachers interested in a speaker for their students.
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When we asked students about their motivation for participating in the 2009-2010 Student Voices Contest, interest in the issue of gun violence proved to be the most influential factor. The intrinsic reward of having their voices heard on this crucial issue outweighed the extrinsic motivation of winning a prize and earning a classroom grade or extra credit. In designing our curriculum, we took this into account, focusing on creating opportunities for students to explore this issue within the classroom in addition to creating a submission for the contest.
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