I teach math at a univeristy, and on the first day I have passed around a paper for everyone to sign. It's so much faster than taking attendence, and this way I have the names of any students who haven't registered yet. I'd like to do something a little different this year. I need to find out which students are on a sports team, so I was hoping to come up with one or two other fun quesitons I could put on there. But I want something other than "What's your major?"
What are a couple of fun, "get to know you" questions I could ask that most 18 year olds would have fun with and a few 40 year olds wouldn't be offended by?
I learn best when I can _______________________ (to determine learning style / mode)
In what ways to you use math on a regular basis? ______________
I like the "If I wasn't in math class, what would I be doing right now".
I'm the 40+ year old, and I would not answer any of these questions. I would be in class to learn math and none of this has anything to do with math. If you need to find out who's on a sports team ask that and which team anything else is irrelevant to your subject.
Whats one hobby/activity that you would like to share with the class?
Why are you taking this course?
Whats your lifelong dream?
If you could be anywhere but this class, where would you be?
Whats your fav sports team?
What celebrity do you identify with most?
What celebrity have you been told you look like most?
Who is your greatest hero?
Good luck
When I was in college, I think I would have liked (from suggestions I read below)
If you weren't in this class right now, you'd be doing what ?
and
If you were a superhero, what superpower would you like to have?
and maybe
What's the funnest/most interesting place you've ever traveled to/visited?
In a perhaps boring and repetitive first day of classes (name, email, student id, etc) a FUN non-school-related question is great. But as the teacher, refer to the question next class and talk about how you enjoyed reading where they traveled or what superhero power they wanted to have. Say "The most interesting superhero power was the power of teleportation so you could save money on gasoline. The most common superhero power y'all wanted to have was the power of flight." That way the students feel like they were heard, plus that you take an interest in their interests. The students who could care less about some "stupid superhero question" will just not answer it and leave that space blank.
added: fav drink - fun! Some will say a coctail. Some a soda. You may get some funny or interesting insight to your students!
The company I work for seems to do these things for every single meeting we have as a group....meaning, several times per year. I loathe these kinds of questionnaires. So, I'm the recalcitrant 40-something grumbling about the questionnaire. My opinion is that the only thing that improves this type of questionnaire is to make the questions really easy and not requiring a lot of thought....kind of like things that are used as security questions for on-line banking or credit cards. Some examples of questions that require minimal thought.
How do you support sustainability?
What was your first pet?
What's your favorite color?
What's your favorite exercise?
If I were not in math class right now, I'd be doing ________ instead.
What's your favorite number?
What kind of pie (tee-hee) is your favorite?
How many states have you visited?
Name your favorite place.
Draw your favorite doodle.
Draw a picture that shows how you feel right now.
Make a doodle using at least three numbers.
Do you know why seven ate nine?
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, summer or winter, which would it be?
What is your favorite way to prepare Asian Carp? (Being from Michigan, I couldn't resist.)
What is your favorite Simpsons' character?
What is your hidden talent?
What is the oddest food you have ever eaten?
If you were a super hero, what would your superpower be?
When I taught, I'd ask them what their favorite drink is and what they did for fun.
Describe O. fact that others might be described to know about you.
What 3 words would your best friend use to describe you?
I would check with administration to make sure any questions you have on an unapproved questinaire won't put the school or YOU in jeaporady.
