post test ning fall 2010 - american political science...

Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Feedback about the site

1. Using the ID number that your professor gave you at the beginning of the semester, identify yourself here for the purpose of having completed the survey. We will NOT use these numbers to match your answers with your name. Your answers will remain completely anonymous. If you don't remember your number, STOP and ask your professor first.

2. Did you take the survey (though Survey Monkey) at the beginning of the semester?

3. What did you learn by participating in the American Politics Fall 2010 Website?

4. What specific suggestions do you have for improving the site?

5. Can you think of any additional features or related assignments that would improve the experience of participating in this website?

6. As a result of participating in the NING website, did you connect with someone on your own campus whom you didn’t already know?

7. Is this the first time you have used a social networking website in conjunction with a college class?

*

*55

66

55

66

55

66

No

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Yes

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I can't remember

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Yes

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No

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Yes

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No

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Chapter 11: "How Students Talk to Each Other: An Academic Social Networking Project" by VanVechten and Chadha

Copyright (c) 2013 by the American Political Science Association. This document is part of the online supplemental material for Teaching Civic Engagement: From Student to Active Citizen, published by APSA and edited by Alison Rios McCartney, Elizabeth A. Bennion, and Dick Simpson. APSA grants permission to cite or quote from the above document, cited as follows: 'Copyright (c) 2013 by American Political Science Association (McCartney, Bennion and Simpson, editors). The cited/quoted material may be found at: ___. Used with permission.' Permission is granted only for noncommercial use. All other rights reserved.

Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 20108. As a result of participating in the NING website, did you form any on-line 'friendships' or connections with students in another class that will probably continue into the future?

9. Would you recommend that future classes participate in this kind of website?

10. How do you feel about your experience using the American Politics 2009 NING website? Please respond to the following statements:

11. The number of participants in the website was:

12. The discussions on the American Politics Fall 2010 Website: (Select one)

*

Strongly Agree AgreeNeither Agree nor

DisagreeDisagree Strongly Disagree N/A

This website helped me make meaningful connections with other students.

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I feel I could relate to others who participated in the website.


I enjoyed responding to the Questions of the Week.


I enjoyed responding to other students' statements.


Yes

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No

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Yes

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No

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Too many: I felt insignificant or lost in the crowd

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About right: I felt as if I had a voice and was being heard

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Reinforced my political beliefs and values.

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Challenged my political beliefs and values.

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Neither reinforced nor challenged my political beliefs and values.

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I did not participate in the discussions.

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201013. The discussions on the American Politics Fall 2010 Website:

14. The discussions on the American Politics Fall 2010 Website: (Select One)

15. We covered a lot of material about American politics this semester. In your mind, what are one or two of the most important lessons you learned?

16. What did you most enjoy learning about in your American Politics class this semester?

17. Did you feel as if you were a valuable member of this on-line community?

55

66

55

66

55

66

Increased my interest in one or more political issues.

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Prompted me to find out more information about an issue(s).

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Did not affect my interest in any political issues.

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Increased my tolerance for the political opinions of others.

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Decreased my tolerance for the political opinions of others.

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Neither increased nor decreased my tolerance for the political opinions of others.

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010

18. We are interested in your views and feelings about politics. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements.

19. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is "not at all interested" and 10 is "extremely interested," how interested in political issues would you say you are?

20. Out of the two choices below, please choose the answer you believe most closely represents your opinion as it completes the sentence, even if neither is a perfect match: The main reason government has become bigger over the years is....

21. Out of the two choices below, please choose the answer you believe most closely represents your opinion, even if neither is a perfect match:

22. Out of the two choices below, please choose the answer you believe most closely represents your opinion, even if neither is a perfect match:

Strongly Disagree Slightly Disagree Undecided Slightly Agree Strongly AgreeBeing concerned with national, state, and local issues is an important responsibility for me.

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It is important to get involved in improving my community.


Being concerned with national, state, and local issues is an important responsibility for all citizens.


Being actively involved in state and local issues is my responsibility.


Public officials don't care much what people like me think.


I can learn a lot from people with backgrounds and experience that are different from mine.


Because it has gotten involved in things that people should do

for themselves. nmlkj We need a strong government to handle today's complex

problems. nmlkj

The less government the better.

nmlkj There are more things the government should be doing.

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The free market can handle complex economic problems

without government involvement. nmlkj We need a strong government to handle today's complex

economic problems. nmlkj



Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201023. We are interested in your views and feelings about politics. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements.

24. How much do you feel that having elections makes the government in Washington pay attention to what the people think?

25. Over the years, how much attention do you feel the government in Washington pays to what people think when it decides what to do?

26. We are interested in your views and feelings about the U.S.. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements.

27. How often do you discuss politics with people who have views that are different from yours?

Strongly Disagree Slightly Disagree Undecided Slightly Agree Strongly AgreePeople like me don't have any say about what the government does.


I think it's important to challenge inequalities in society.


I think it's important to think critically about laws and government.


I think that people in government care about what people like me and my family need.


I think I know enough to be an informed voter.


6

6

Strongly Disagree Slightly Disagree Undecided Slightly Agree Strongly AgreeI support US policies because they are the policies of my country.


It is un-American to criticize this country.


I think it's good when people discuss their country's problems.


It's good for the country that people speak up when they oppose US policies.


6



Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201028. We'd like to get your feelings toward some of our political leaders and groups who are in the news these days. We'd like you rate these people and groups by using something we call the feeling thermometer. Ratings between 50 degrees and 100 degrees mean that you feel favorable and warm toward the person or group. Ratings between 0 degrees and 50 degrees mean that you don't feel favorable toward the person and that you don't care too much for them. You would rate a person or group at the 50 degree mark if you don't feel particularly warm or cold toward them. If you don't recognize a name, you don't need to rate it. Just move on to the next one.

0-25 degrees 26-50 degrees 51-75 degrees 76-100 degrees

Barack Obama nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

George Bush nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Nancy Pelosi nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Arnold Schwarzenegger nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Conservatives nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Liberals nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Environmentalists nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Democrats nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Republicans nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Whites, Caucasians nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Blacks, African-Americans nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Latinos, Hispanics nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Asians, Asian-Americans nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

U.S. Citizens nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Immigrants nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Non-Citizens nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Women nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Men nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Gays, Lesbians nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj



Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201029. We are interested in whether or not you might know at this moment some facts about American Government. (If you do not know, please do not look up the answer. It is okay not to know the answer) What job or office is held by John Roberts?

30. We are interested in whether or not you might know at this moment some facts about American Government. (If you do not know, please do not look up the answer. It is okay not to know the answer) How much of a majority is required for the Congress to override a presidential veto?

31. We are interested in whether or not you might know at this moment some facts about American Government. (If you do not know, please do not look up the answer. It is okay not to know the answer.) Whose responsibility is it to execute (carry out) the law?

Secretary of State

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Vice President

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Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

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House Majority Leader

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I don't know

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51%

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2/3

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3/4

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3/5

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I don't know

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The President

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Congress

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The Supreme Court

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201032. We are interested in whether or not you might know at this moment some facts about American Government. (If you do not know, please do not look up the answer. It is okay not to know the answer) Based on the November 2010 elections, which political party will have the most members in the House of Representatives in Washington starting in January?

33. We are interested in whether or not you might know at this moment some facts about American Government. (If you do not know, please do not look up the answer. It is okay not to know the answer) Which political party is considered more conservative at the national level?

34. Suppose you found out about a problem in your school or community that you wanted to do something about. Please mark how much you agree or disagree with the statements below:

Strongly Disagree Slightly Disagree Undecided Slightly Agree Strongly AgreeI would be able to create a plan to address the issue.


I would be able to organize and run a meeting.


I would be able to find and examine research related to the issue.


I would be able to use the Internet to connect with others to address the issue.


I would be able to express my views in front of a group of people.


Democrats

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Republicans

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Other

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I don't know

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Democrats

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Republicans

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They're equally conservative

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I don't know

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201035. How would you identify yourself?

Extremely

liberal nmlkj Liberal

nmlkj Slightly

liberal nmlkj Moderate/Middle

of the road nmlkj Slightly

conservative nmlkj Conservative

nmlkj Extremely

conservative nmlkj I

don't know/I haven't thought about it

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36. How often did you use the site? (Please estimate the number of times that you posted.)

37. How would you describe your experience signing up for the American Politics Fall 2010 Website?

38. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience reading OTHER PEOPLE'S comments:

39. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience posting YOUR OWN comments:

Zero

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Once or twice

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A few times: about three to five

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Fairly often: about six to ten

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Often: More than ten times

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Complicated or Confusing

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Moderately difficult

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Easy

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I never signed up

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Easy

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I never read other people's posts

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Easy

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I never posted

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201040. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience looking at OTHER PEOPLE'S pictures or videos?

41. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience posting YOUR OWN pictures or videos?

42. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience writing private notes to other people on the American Politics Fall 2010 website?

43. What word(s) would you use to describe your experience in accessing the Town Hall Meetings?


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Easy

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I never looked at other people's videos or pictures

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Easy

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I never posted a picture or video

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Easy

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I never wrote a private note

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Other (please specify)


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Easy

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I never tried to access a Town Hall Meeting

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201044. I would have posted more often if: (Check all that apply)

45. The hardest part about posting comments was: (Check all that apply)

Yes NoI felt more comfortable with the technology

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My teacher had devoted more class time to 'how to post'

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I had used this kind of website before joining this class

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I had Internet access at home

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I was more interested in the topic

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The posting were anonymous

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This question doesn't apply; I posted as much as I wanted to

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Other nmlkj nmlkj

Yes NoGetting access to a computer

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Getting access to the Internet

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Signing In nmlkj nmlkj

Writing nmlkj nmlkjFiguring Out how to send (post) my comments

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Dealing with other people's comments about my post

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There was nothing difficult about posting

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Other nmlkj nmlkj





Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201046. The hardest part about the Town Hall Meetings (live chats) was: (Check all that apply)

47. How would you rate the use of the following technology in your American Politics class?

Yes NoGetting access to a computer

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Getting access to the Internet

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Signing in nmlkj nmlkjFiguring out how to post my comments

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The nature of the responses (offensive or unwelcome)

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Responding to or dealing with other people's comments about my post

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The rapid pace of the conversation: following along

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The number of participants (too many)

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I couldn't get a word in edgewise

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There was nothing difficult about posting or participating

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Other nmlkj nmlkj

Not helpful for my understanding of American Politics

Mostly unhelpful for my understanding of

American Politics

Neither helpful nor unhelpful for my understanding of American Politics

Somewhat helpful for my understanding of

American Politics

Very helpful for my understanding of American Politics

Town Hall Meetings (Live Chats)


Questions of the Week nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkjStudent Generated Discussions


Articles or Links Posted to the Site


Pictures or Videos nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj




Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201048. The online experience with the American Politics Fall 2010 Website helped me to understand more about: (Check all that apply)

49. Overall, I would describe the online discussions as usually:

50. Overall, the word(s) I would use to describe this social networking experience was/were: (mark all that apply)

Yes NoAmerican government as a whole

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Being a U.S. Citizen nmlkj nmlkjDifferent people's views about politics

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Judicial Branch/Supreme Court

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Political Parties/partisanship

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Executive Branch/Presidency

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The Constitution nmlkj nmlkjCivil Rights and Civil Liberties

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Congress nmlkj nmlkjPolitical Issues that Affect Me

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Belonging to a Political Community

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Nothing nmlkj nmlkj

Yes No

Enriching nmlkj nmlkj

Interesting nmlkj nmlkj

Confusing nmlkj nmlkj

Uninteresting nmlkj nmlkj

Waste of Time nmlkj nmlkj


Intellectually stimulating

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Pleasant

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Unpleasant

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Hostile

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51. Are you Male or Female?

52. Which college or university do you attend?

53. What is your year of birth?

54. What is your ethnicity?

55. What is your religion?

*

*

*

Male

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Female

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UMBC

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SUNY ACC

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SUNY Plattsburg @ ACC

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University of Redlands

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York College

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Carroll University

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University of Houston-Downtown

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White/Caucasian/Anglo

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African-American/Black

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Asian-American

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Hispanic/Latino/Mexican-American

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Other

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None

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Protestant/Christian

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Roman Catholic

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Jewish

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Muslim

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Other

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None

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201056. Considering your political party identification, how do you identify yourself?

57. Which of the following sources do you rely on for news, current events, and political information in general? Please indicate how often you access (use) the following sources.

58. Who was first in your family to be born in the United States?

Never Every Day Several Times a Day Occasionally

Internet nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

TV: Broadcast News nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkjTV: Comedians like John Stewart or O'Brien

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Newspapers/News Articles nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Radio nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Magazines or Journals nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Discussions with Friends nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkjDiscussions with Family Members

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Strong Democrat

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Democrat

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Independent Leaning Democrat

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Independent

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Independent leaning Republican

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Republican

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Strong Republican

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Third Party Identifier (Green, Libertarian, Other)

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Decline to State

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Me

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My Parents

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My grand-parents

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My great-grand parents or those before them

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No one in my family was born in the U.S.

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201059. Which category best describes where you grew up?

60. Which is true of your family?

61. Where did you grow up?

62. What is your year in school?

63. What is your major, or are you undeclared?

64. Do you live on-campus or do you commute to school?

On a farm

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In the country, not on a farm

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In a city

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In a suburb of a city

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A combination of these

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We speak only English at home.

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We sometimes speak a language other than English at home.

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We rarely or never speak English at home.

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Western US

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MidWest US

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North East US

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South US

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Other

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Freshman

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Sophomore

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Junior

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Senior or more

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Live on-campus

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Commute to school

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Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201065. Please respond YES or NO to the following statements:

66. I would describe myself as:

67. At home my access to the Internet is:

Yes No

I own a computer. gfedc gfedcI have access to the Internet from home.

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I have social networking accounts like MySpace, Facebook, etc.

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I send texts on a cell phone.

gfedc gfedc

Highly computer literate

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Comfortable with a computer

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Struggling on a computer

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I really don't know how to use a computer

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High speed and reliable

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Dial-up and unreliable

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I do not have Internet access at home

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68. Before taking this class, how often did you use the following electronic media for communication?

69. During this semester, how often did you use the following electronic media for communication?

70. Now that we have reached the end of the semester, how often do you now use the following electronic media for communication?

At least once

a dayA few times a

dayOnce a week

A few times a week

Once a monthA few times a

monthAlmost Never

I do not communicate via electronic technology

Email nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Text Messaging nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Instant Messaging nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Facebook or MySpace nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

YouTube nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

Other nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj

At least once

a dayA few times a

dayOnce a week

A few times a week


monthAlmost Never








At least once

a dayA few times a

dayOnce a week

A few times a week


monthAlmost Never










Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 2010Post Test NING Fall 201071. How frequently do you use electronic technology to communicate with other people for WORK?

72. How frequently do you use electronic technology to communicate with other people for PERSONAL REASONS?

73. How often do you post to social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc.?

CONGRATULATIONS! You have finally finished the survey. We greatly appreciate your contributions to NING and to the class. Thank you for participating. Best regards from Professors Johnston, Harper, Van Vechten, Chadha, and King-Meadows, and Goren.

At least once a day

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At least once a week

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At least once a month

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Almost never

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Never

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At least once a day

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At least once a week

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At least once a month

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Almost never

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Never

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At least once a day

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A few times a day

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Once a week

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A few times a week

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Once a month

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A few times a month

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Almost never

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I do not post to social networking sites

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