Focus groups
Focus Groups
Lima High School Students
Groups of 10-12
Sophomores in High School
1. What area of study do you want to pursue after high school?
With students in the 10th grade we had many kids who were either undecided, or could not choose yet what they wanted their major to be. Of the students who knew what they wanted to go in to we had: political science, education, zoology, music, psychology, pharmacy, marketing, culinary and business.
2. How could history play a part in that area of study?
The students felt that they needed to understand the history of their field. For students looking in to the medical field they were looking at how things were done in the past, and how they evolved into what they are now. They also said that history is the development of culture. They talked about how history is a part of who we are and what causes change. History can tell us where we have come from, where we are going, what to do, and what not to do. Some of the students felt that history was a big factor of choices they make in the future. Some students, felt that history was boring and has little change due to the history they are taught in their current classes.
3. Does history interest you?
Many students felt that different parts of history interested them, while other parts do not interest them as much. A majority of students found interest in Black history and their culture. Other students took an interest in music, sports, conspiracy theories, military, and family. Some students felt that history was interesting based on the teacher they had in school or how it was taught.
4. Why is history important? Why would you seek out historical information?
History repeats itself, it is important to gain knowledge, and it is important to pass information through generations to make sure history is not lost to the past. Other students said that it is a good idea to take ideals from the past to effect things now, looking at ways people treated others in the past and how we should treat people now, old administrations, and personal histories.
5. What forms of history interest you the most?
Most students who were not necessarily interested mainly in history felt that documentaries, movies, historical interviews, blogs, and pictures were the most interesting to them. To students who were directly interested in history they felt that books or primary sources about one specific person were interested to get even more detailed into the history of them.
6. What are your favorite websites you visit?
The students liked various sites such as, social media sites, Ancestry.com, Wikipedia, and Google. Many students were interested in features such as news and social aspects of the websites.
7. What kind of history of a university might impact decisions you make now?
Students felt that the history of a university that might impact their decisions would be food ratings, WiFi connections, diversity, extra-curricular activities, past success stories of students, professional accomplishments, and safety records.
8. What interests you about the sites we have presented to you earlier?
Students felt that it was well organized, they were interested in the videos and pictures.
9. What could we improve on to create more interest?
The students felt that the sites needed color, accessibility, and it needs to be cleaned up. They thought the homepage could be improved with brief descriptions, featured things, and pictures. They wanted the site to be more interactive with not just a list of links.
Lima High School Students
Groups of 10-12
Sophomores in High School
1. What area of study do you want to pursue after high school?
With students in the 10th grade we had many kids who were either undecided, or could not choose yet what they wanted their major to be. Of the students who knew what they wanted to go in to we had: political science, education, zoology, music, psychology, pharmacy, marketing, culinary and business.
2. How could history play a part in that area of study?
The students felt that they needed to understand the history of their field. For students looking in to the medical field they were looking at how things were done in the past, and how they evolved into what they are now. They also said that history is the development of culture. They talked about how history is a part of who we are and what causes change. History can tell us where we have come from, where we are going, what to do, and what not to do. Some of the students felt that history was a big factor of choices they make in the future. Some students, felt that history was boring and has little change due to the history they are taught in their current classes.
3. Does history interest you?
Many students felt that different parts of history interested them, while other parts do not interest them as much. A majority of students found interest in Black history and their culture. Other students took an interest in music, sports, conspiracy theories, military, and family. Some students felt that history was interesting based on the teacher they had in school or how it was taught.
4. Why is history important? Why would you seek out historical information?
History repeats itself, it is important to gain knowledge, and it is important to pass information through generations to make sure history is not lost to the past. Other students said that it is a good idea to take ideals from the past to effect things now, looking at ways people treated others in the past and how we should treat people now, old administrations, and personal histories.
5. What forms of history interest you the most?
Most students who were not necessarily interested mainly in history felt that documentaries, movies, historical interviews, blogs, and pictures were the most interesting to them. To students who were directly interested in history they felt that books or primary sources about one specific person were interested to get even more detailed into the history of them.
6. What are your favorite websites you visit?
The students liked various sites such as, social media sites, Ancestry.com, Wikipedia, and Google. Many students were interested in features such as news and social aspects of the websites.
7. What kind of history of a university might impact decisions you make now?
Students felt that the history of a university that might impact their decisions would be food ratings, WiFi connections, diversity, extra-curricular activities, past success stories of students, professional accomplishments, and safety records.
8. What interests you about the sites we have presented to you earlier?
Students felt that it was well organized, they were interested in the videos and pictures.
9. What could we improve on to create more interest?
The students felt that the sites needed color, accessibility, and it needs to be cleaned up. They thought the homepage could be improved with brief descriptions, featured things, and pictures. They wanted the site to be more interactive with not just a list of links.