First Survey: Writing Study

General Instructions: We are interested in your writing and computing experiences and attitudes. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. In general, when you are presented with a scale next to a question, please put an X over the number that best corresponds to your answer. For example, if you strongly agreed with the following question, you might put an X through the number 5. If you agreed moderately, you might put an X through number 4, if you neither agreed nor disagreed, you might put an X through number 3.

Example Question:

	Strongly Disagree			Strongly Agree
I like to read magazines like TIME or Newsweek.	1	2	3		4	5

As is the case with all of the information we are collecting for our study, we will keep all the information you provide to us completely confidential. Your teacher will not be made aware of any of your responses. Thanks for your help.

Your Name: ___________________________________________________________

Your Instructor's Name: __________________________________________________

Expectations about Writing:	Very Little					Very Much
1. In general, how much writing do you think will be required in your classes at CSU?	1	2	3		4		5
2. How much writing do you think you will be required to do after you graduate?	1	2	3		4		5
3. How important do you think writing will be to your career?	1	2	3		4		5
Grades:
4. In this class, I expect to receive a grade of . . . .	A	B	C		D		F
5. In previous writing classes, I have usually received a grade of . . .	A	B	C		D		F

Attitudes about Writing:	Strongly Disagree			Strongly Agree
6. Good writers are born, not made.	1	2	3		4		5
7. I avoid writing.	1	2	3		4		5
8. Some people have said, "Writing can be learned but it can't be taught." Do you believe it can be learned?	1	2	3		4		5
9. Do you believe writing can be taught?	1	2	3		4		5
10. Practice is the most important part of being a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
11. I am able to express myself clearly in my writing.	1	2	3		4		5
12. Writing is a lot of fun.	1	2	3		4		5
13. Good teachers can help me become a better writer.	1	2	3		4		5
14. Talent is the most important part of being a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
15. Anyone with at least average intelligence can learn to be a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
16. I am no good at writing.	1	2	3		4		5
17. I enjoy writing.	1	2	3		4		5
18. Discussing my writing with others is an enjoyable experience.	1	2	3		4		5
19. Compared to other students, I am a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
20. Teachers who have read my writing think I am a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
21. Other students who have read my writing think I am a good writer.	1	2	3		4		5
22. My writing is easy to understand.	1	2	3		4		5
Experiences in Previous Writing Classes:	Strongly Disagree			Strongly Agree
23. On some of my past writing assignments, I have been required to submit rough drafts of my papers.	1	2	3		4		5
24. I've taken some courses that focused primarily on spelling, grammar, and punctuation.	1	2	3		4		5
25. In previous writing classes, I've had to revise my papers.	1	2	3		4		5
26. Some of my former writing teachers were more interested in my ideas than in my spelling, punctuation, and grammar.	1	2	3		4		5
27. In some of my former writing classes, I've commented on other students' papers.	1	2	3		4		5
28. In some of my former writing classes, I spent a lot of time working in groups.	1	2	3		4		5
29. Some of my former teachers acted as though the most important part of writing was spelling, punctuation, and grammar.	1	2	3		4		5

Please indicate the TIMES PER MONTH or HOURS PER WEEK you engage in the following activities:

Writing Activities: How many TIMES PER MONTH do you ...
30. Write in your journal	0	1	2		3		4+
31. Write poetry on your own	0	1	2		3		4+
32. Write letters to friends or family	0	1	2		3		4+
33. Write fiction	0	1	2		3		4+
34. Write papers for class	0	1	2		3		4+
35. Write for publication	0	1	2		3		4+

Reading Activities: How many HOURS PER WEEK do you ...
36. Read the newspaper	0	1	2		3		4+
37. Read fiction for pleasure	0	1	2		3		4+
38. Read magazines	0	1	2		3		4+
39. Read for class	0	1	2		`3		4+

Attitudes about Computers:	Strongly Disagree			Strongly Agree
40. The challenge of learning about computers is exciting.	1	2	3		4		5
41. I am confident that I can learn computer skills.	1	2	3		4		5
42. Anyone can learn to use a computer if they are patient and motivated.	1	2	3		4		5
43. Learning to operate computers is like learning any new skill-- the more you practice, the better you become.	1	2	3		4		5
44. I feel apprehensive about working with computers.	1	2	3		4		5
45. I have difficulty in understanding the technical aspects of computers.	1	2	3		4		5
46. It scares me to think that I could cause the computer to destroy a large amount of information by hitting the wrong key.	1	2	3		4		5
47. You have to be a genius to understand all the special commands used by most computer programs.	1	2	3		4		5
48. If given the opportunity, I would like to learn about and use computers.	1	2	3		4		5
49. I have avoided computers because they are unfamiliar and somewhat intimidating to me.	1	2	3		4		5
50. I feel computers are necessary tools in both educational and work settings.	1	2	3		4		5
51. I own my own computer.	No						Yes
52. I don't own my own computer, but I regularly use my parents' or a friend's computer.	No						Yes

Writing Guides

Survey Research

First Survey: Writing Study