Many thanks to those who took a moment to answer my Surveymonkey questions. I do a survey every few months to see what parts of the site teachers are using most, whether the site is easy to navigate and what improvements teachers would welcome. There were 78 responses.
Here is my summary and comments
The A-level pages remain the most used overall, with 80% of respondents choosing it as one of their three choices. the GCSE section is the next most popular on 60%. The Y9 and Primary/Y7 pages were chosen by 30% and the adult students page by 10%.
Over 70% of subscribers make use of video listening tasks.
10% make use of resources with primary age pupils. I was a little surprised the figure was that high.
Nearly 40% use the Teacher's Guide pages.
In terms of improvements subscribers would like to see, there were no frequently recurring issues, but ones which came up were: a greater range texts, more beginners adult resources, more primary, more Edexcel-based resources, more answers to worksheets, more PowerPoints, a better searching system, harder listening tasks, worksheets for lower-attaining pupils, more game templates, more vocabulary-based activities and more resources for A-level books and films. Two respondents mentioned that some YouTube links were not working and three mentioned they would like more model answers. One respondent thought a regular digest of latest additions sent to subscribers would be useful.
Juts a few points to make:
Once again I am very grateful for the kind comments which teachers left. I am always happy to read that the site is so useful and widely used.
Finally, A-level teachers might like to keep an eye out for some AS and A-level resources which will appear on TES later this year. I have written these with my collaborator Gianfranco Conti. They will be quite meaty and focus particularly on translation.
Here is my summary and comments
The A-level pages remain the most used overall, with 80% of respondents choosing it as one of their three choices. the GCSE section is the next most popular on 60%. The Y9 and Primary/Y7 pages were chosen by 30% and the adult students page by 10%.
Over 70% of subscribers make use of video listening tasks.
10% make use of resources with primary age pupils. I was a little surprised the figure was that high.
Nearly 40% use the Teacher's Guide pages.
In terms of improvements subscribers would like to see, there were no frequently recurring issues, but ones which came up were: a greater range texts, more beginners adult resources, more primary, more Edexcel-based resources, more answers to worksheets, more PowerPoints, a better searching system, harder listening tasks, worksheets for lower-attaining pupils, more game templates, more vocabulary-based activities and more resources for A-level books and films. Two respondents mentioned that some YouTube links were not working and three mentioned they would like more model answers. One respondent thought a regular digest of latest additions sent to subscribers would be useful.
Juts a few points to make:
- I shall not be adding more literature and film resources. I leave this to my esteemed colleague Steve Glover who has this area more than well covered at dolanguages.com.
- I avoid PowerPoints on the whole, partly because I would need copyright to use pictures in the paid-for parts of the site. There are free PowerPonts on the site.
- Regarding model answers, I now systematically do these following previous requests, but I am afraid it would take me too long to add more to older resources. I would rather keep making new sheets.
- I shall continue to add texts, with a particular focus on the new specifications starting in September. I shall also be reorganising my pages to fit with the new new themes for GCSE and A-level. Many users, by the way, are outside the UK and do not follow English exam courses. In the survey 15% reported they were outside the UK.
- I cannot do much about the searching system. There is a search box, but I am aware it is not very refined. My webmaster has worked on this in the past and made improvements. Almost all users said the site is easy to navigate.
- It is true that my resources are geared towards the middle and higher ability range and I shall keep in mind the need to make available easier materials.
- If any subscribers find that video links do not work I would like to know which ones - there is a note to this effect on my contents pages. It is hard to keep up with every change and in any case teachers should always check links before a lesson.
- I shall see what I can do in terms of more easy adult resources.
- I have noted the mention of harder listening resources. I am assuming this was regarding A-level.
- As regards the digest of new resources, perhaps it is worth reminding that there is a page of latest additions on the site. this is always kept right up to date and occasionally reposted on this blog.
Once again I am very grateful for the kind comments which teachers left. I am always happy to read that the site is so useful and widely used.
Finally, A-level teachers might like to keep an eye out for some AS and A-level resources which will appear on TES later this year. I have written these with my collaborator Gianfranco Conti. They will be quite meaty and focus particularly on translation.
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