Every year, our local newspaper, the Fireside Guard, publishes letters to Santa from our youngest students. As I started to read through them, I noticed a large number of our PK-3 students asking for technology of some kind. They also asked for panda bears, tractors, the secret to saving correctly, and pets for the poor, much to my heart's delight. I decided to use the letters as some informal data for our technology department. What percentage of letters published would include a technology request? Would the number of requests increase as students get older? Was there a particular type of technology request? My methodology was pretty simple. I read. I giggled about how wonderful kids are and how magical their belief in Santa is, and I highlighted any request for technology. I chose to include accessories for technology, such as controllers, or video games, such as Skylanders Trap Team. If it was technology related, it was highlighted. Then I went through and counted the total number of requests, the number of requests by grade, and the type of requests. I also looked at specific brand requests. |
Here are the results!
We had 2 requests from our 61 preschool letters for a total of 3%. Kindergarten had 14 requests from 41 letters for a total of 34%. In 1st grade, 21 of 63 letters requested technology for a total of 33% of 1st grade letters. Second grade made 34 requests out of 69 letters for a total of 49% of letters. Finally, 3rd grade requested technology 18 times out of 41 letters for a total of 43%. In total, out of 220 letters published in the paper, 89 letters requested technology. This means that 40% of letters written and published requested technology in some form. There was also an increase as the students got older in frequency of technology requests.
In terms of type of technology requested, 29% of requests asked for a tablet of some kind, either a Kindle, iPad, Leapfrog, or some other device. 23% requested a game system - a DS, PSP, PS3 or 4, or an XBox 360. 22% wanted a video game of some kind, with Skylanders Trap Team being the clear front runner. 7% of requests asked for a cell phone - either an iPhone or a smartphone. Considering that these are students 8 years old or younger, that percentage surprised me. 5% requested a computer or laptop. 9% wanted an MP3 player, with iPod Touch being the most requested. Finally, 3% requested accessories of some kind - a controller, an iTunes gift card, Netflix for their tablet, etc.
I also took a look at the most requested brands. Apple was the clear winner with 20% of the requests. This was followed by Nintendo and XBox with 11% and 8% respectively.
I thoroughly enjoyed this exercise in data collection and analysis. I'm encouraged by number of kids wanting technology that we're on the right track with our technology initiative. I'd be interested to know how many of our kids grades 4-12 made Christmas technology requests. All in all, our youngest kids are hilariously adorable with their requests and curiosity about Santa. I already can't wait to read next year's letter!
We had 2 requests from our 61 preschool letters for a total of 3%. Kindergarten had 14 requests from 41 letters for a total of 34%. In 1st grade, 21 of 63 letters requested technology for a total of 33% of 1st grade letters. Second grade made 34 requests out of 69 letters for a total of 49% of letters. Finally, 3rd grade requested technology 18 times out of 41 letters for a total of 43%. In total, out of 220 letters published in the paper, 89 letters requested technology. This means that 40% of letters written and published requested technology in some form. There was also an increase as the students got older in frequency of technology requests.
In terms of type of technology requested, 29% of requests asked for a tablet of some kind, either a Kindle, iPad, Leapfrog, or some other device. 23% requested a game system - a DS, PSP, PS3 or 4, or an XBox 360. 22% wanted a video game of some kind, with Skylanders Trap Team being the clear front runner. 7% of requests asked for a cell phone - either an iPhone or a smartphone. Considering that these are students 8 years old or younger, that percentage surprised me. 5% requested a computer or laptop. 9% wanted an MP3 player, with iPod Touch being the most requested. Finally, 3% requested accessories of some kind - a controller, an iTunes gift card, Netflix for their tablet, etc.
I also took a look at the most requested brands. Apple was the clear winner with 20% of the requests. This was followed by Nintendo and XBox with 11% and 8% respectively.
I thoroughly enjoyed this exercise in data collection and analysis. I'm encouraged by number of kids wanting technology that we're on the right track with our technology initiative. I'd be interested to know how many of our kids grades 4-12 made Christmas technology requests. All in all, our youngest kids are hilariously adorable with their requests and curiosity about Santa. I already can't wait to read next year's letter!