(c) Project Tomorrow Tomorrow’s Students, Today’s K-12 Digital Learners - Are we ready for them? ELI Web Seminar February 2, 2009 Julie Evans

(c) Project Tomorrow What are the expectations of our future students? How do we prepare for these students of tomorrow? What are the important trends in education & technology that we should be discussing today? Our discussion today: 2

(c) Project Tomorrow “We want technology to be almost a thoughtless, seamless process. When you go to a classroom, you pick up a piece of chalk. Technology should be as automatic as picking up the chalk. The newer teachers are expecting it and our students are expecting it when they come into the classroom.” Irving (Nick) Nicholson Director of eLearning Programs Chicago Public Schools 3

(c) Project Tomorrow Annual national research project –Online surveys + focus groups –Open for all K-12 schools –Schools/districts get back their own data for planning and budgeting Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations –K-12 Students, Teachers, Parents and Administrators Inform policies & programs –Analysis and reporting – national reports, state reports, district reports –Services: custom reports, consulting with districts and state agencies –NCES back end database – provide statistically significant samplings 6 years of empowering authentic voices – since 2003: –1.3 million K-12 students –103,000 teachers –54,000 parents –6,300 school leaders –17,000 schools – from all 50 states, DC, American military base schools, Canada, Mexico, Australia What is Speak Up? 1.46 million respondents 4

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay) About Project Tomorrow: A national education nonprofit organization providing leadership, research and programs to support science, math and technology education in America’s schools 5

(c) Project Tomorrow  Learning & Teaching with Technology  Web 2.0 in Education  Broadband Access & Policy  Information and Media Literacy Skills  Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness  Emerging Technologies in the Classroom  Mobile Devices  Online Learning  Digital Content  Designing the 21st Century School Speak Up 2008 survey question themes 6

(c) Project Tomorrow K-12 Students260,231 Teachers29,645 Parents (in English & Spanish)21,139 School/District Administrators3,115 States All 50 oTop 10: TX, CA, AZ, AL, IL, MD, FL, NC, NE, WI About Speak Up Schools: –97% public, 3% private –32% urban, 40% suburban, 29% rural –43% Title 1 eligible –29% majority-minority student population National Speak Up 2008 Participation 7

(c) Project Tomorrow Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Students Current Work ? 8

(c) Project Tomorrow Tomorrow’s Students Millennial Attitudes & Values K-12 Education Priorities Technology-Infused Learning Current Work Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow? 9

(c) Project Tomorrow K-12 Education Priorities What issues are “waking up” our nation’s K-12 administrators in the middle of the night? What issues are driving their priorities and education vision? 10

(c) Project Tomorrow K-12 Education Priorities What issues are waking up our K-12 education administrators in the middle of the night? Top 5 List – Speak Up 2008 data: Funding Test scores Communications with parents School safety Student diversity 11

(c) Project Tomorrow Seismic changes in K-12 education since early 1970’s A sampling of those “earthquakes” Standards based education Teacher quality/retention issues Role of education More education stakeholders Expectations for success for all Diversity of languages, styles, cultures A different kind of learner K-12 Education Priorities 12

(c) Project Tomorrow Tomorrow’s Students Millennial Attitudes & Values K-12 Education Priorities Technology-Infused Learning Current Work Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow? 13

(c) Project Tomorrow Millennial Attitudes & Values Millennials Rising (Neil Howe and William Strauss) How do they want to learn? Collaboratively Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any pace Structured activities Relevancy with real world And with all kinds of technology 14

(c) Project Tomorrow Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Students Millennial Attitudes & Values K-12 Education Priorities Technology-Infused Learning Current Work 15

(c) Project Tomorrow Students, technology & learning: Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations Disconnects & Differences Trends & Leverage Points Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 16

(c) Project Tomorrow “Digital disconnect” is alive & well: the gap between how today’s students learn and how they live! Key findings from Speak Up 2008 data: 17

(c) Project Tomorrow “Digital disconnect” is alive & well:  Between students and teachers  Between advanced tech students and other students  Between girls and boys  Between older and younger students Key findings from Speak Up 2008 data: 18

(c) Project Tomorrow Let’s get to know each other! Audience Response How would you assess your own technology skills compared to your peers? Beginner Average Advanced 19

(c) Project Tomorrow Parents, Teachers, Principals: What kind of tech user are you? 20

(c) Project Tomorrow a.6% b.24% c.70% Audience Response: What % of students in grades 6-12 consider themselves “advanced tech users?” 21

(c) Project Tomorrow What % of students in grades 6-12 consider themselves “advanced tech users?” 70% 24% 6% C B A 22

(c) Project Tomorrow How are today’s students using technology for schoolwork? 23

(c) Project Tomorrow How are today’s students using technology for schoolwork? Top 5 responses: 1. Writing assignments (78%) 2. Online research (75%) 3. Access class info – grades, notes (67%) 4. Creating slideshows, videos, webpages (64%) 5. Communications with /IM/text (64%) 24

(c) Project Tomorrow How satisfied are today’s students with technology use at their school? 25

(c) Project Tomorrow How satisfied are today’s students with technology use at their school? Students say: Not very! 26

(c) Project Tomorrow Top responses: Filters block websites I need Teachers limit tech use Lots of rules –Cannot use my own devices –Cannot access my communications tools –Rules that limit use of my school’s technology Students say: Major obstacles to student tech use at school 27

(c) Project Tomorrow How could your school make it easier for you to use technology? Top 5 student demands: 1.Let me use my own tools & devices 2.Give me unlimited Internet access 3.Let me access my projects anywhere 4.Provide me w/communication - organization tools 5.Give me access to my social networking sites 28

(c) Project Tomorrow Question & Answer Period 1 29

(c) Project Tomorrow Mobile devices Online learning Digital content Digital Disconnect: A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education 30

(c) Project Tomorrow Mobile school –Cell phones –Laptops –MP3 players –Smartphones & PDAs Digital Disconnect: A new battleground with emerging technologies in education 31

(c) Project Tomorrow Using Mobile Devices for Learning 32

(c) Project Tomorrow Communications Collaborations Creativity Productivity How students want to use mobile devices to support learning 33

(c) Project Tomorrow Communications – teachers, classmates –Access personal websites Collaborations –Projects and calendars Creativity –Create/share documents, videos Productivity –Research, downloads, ed games –Get alerts and reminders How students want to use mobile devices to support learning 34

(c) Project Tomorrow Online learning –Dedicated online class –Blended class –On own or through school Digital Disconnect: A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education 35

(c) Project Tomorrow Online learning and K-12 students Current online learning experience: 16% of high school students 14% of middle school students 36

(c) Project Tomorrow Online learning and K-12 students Is there interest in taking online classes? Yes! Interest in taking an online class: + 40% of high school students + 35% of middle school students + 15% of students grades

(c) Project Tomorrow Online learning and K-12 students Is there interest in taking online classes? Yes! Interest in taking an online class: + 40% of high school students + 35% of middle school students + 15% of students grades % increase in the past year! 38

(c) Project Tomorrow a.Take class not offered at my school b.Get extra help in a subject c.Earn college credit d.To fit my class schedule e.To work at my own pace f.To complete a school requirement Audience Response: What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class? 39

(c) Project Tomorrow What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class? 40

(c) Project Tomorrow How would online classes make school more interesting? 1.In control of my learning (47%) 2.Easier to review class materials (38%) 3.Easier for me to succeed (32%) 4.More comfortable asking questions (29%) 5.More motivated to learn (27%) 41

(c) Project Tomorrow Policy: Online class requirement for high school graduation? 42

(c) Project Tomorrow Digital Content Digital Disconnect: A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education 43

(c) Project Tomorrow Digital Content –Online textbook –Information and Media Literacy Digital Disconnect: A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education 44

(c) Project Tomorrow Desired features: –Electronic note taking and highlighting –Self assessments –Links to useful website –Animations/simulations to explain concepts –Access to online tutors –Powerpoint presentations of lectures –Games to explore concepts/ideas Students design an online textbook 45

(c) Project Tomorrow Top 5 responses: 1.Teacher/parent recommendation 2.Info is current, accurate, impartial 3.Domain extension 4.Author is expert 5.Website is cited in multiple resources How students authenticate online resources 46

(c) Project Tomorrow Question & Answer Period 2 47

(c) Project Tomorrow What if you could design the ultimate school.... what technologies would have the greatest impact on your learning? 48

(c) Project Tomorrow a.Digital media tools for creating projects b.Games and virtual simulations c.Personal laptops for each student d.Student access to and IM at school e.Using mobile devices like cellphones, MP3 players and PDAs f.Online classes g.Digital content inc. online textbooks Audience Response: What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? 49

(c) Project Tomorrow Students in Kindergarten thru 12 th grade say the same thing every year: What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? 50

(c) Project Tomorrow Students in Kindergarten thru 12 th grade say the same thing every year: “Give me a laptop for my personal use at school and at home” What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? 51

(c) Project Tomorrow What if you could design the ultimate school? 52

(c) Project Tomorrow Key trends to watch: Continuing “digital disconnects” Spectrum of digital native-ness Multiple “computers” in the backpack Embracing & adapting new technologies Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any pace learning Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 53

(c) Project Tomorrow Key trends to watch: Self directed learning for student & teacher Everyone is a content developer Make it relevant to me! Blend of informal & formal learning opps Beyond engagement to productivity benefits “Long tail” of training & education Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 54

(c) Project Tomorrow But what is the #1 trend that you should watch regarding your future students? Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 55

(c) Project Tomorrow #1 Trend to watch for your future students: The era of the technology-enabled Free Agent Learner Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 56

(c) Project Tomorrow Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Self directed learning –Un-tethered to trad’l education –Expert at personal data aggregation Examples: Online learning Control over knowledge authenticity Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 57

(c) Project Tomorrow Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Power of connections –Creating new communities –Not tethered to physical networks Example: Mobile devices Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 58

(c) Project Tomorrow Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Experiential learning – make it real –Content developers –Process as important as knowledge gained (sometimes more important) Example: Gaming, simulations, animations, multimedia content Speak Up 2008 Data Findings 59

(c) Project Tomorrow What is the impact of this Free Agent Learner on your institution? What is the impact of these other emerging trends? What are the tough questions you need to be asking today? 60

(c) Project Tomorrow Content Culture Competition Control Tough questions to think about today: 61

(c) Project Tomorrow Tough questions to think about today: Content –What is content today, what will define it tomorrow? Culture –How will these Free Agents fit into our existing culture or is a new culture required/preferred? Competition –Do we need new “business models?” Control –Who controls the learning process in this new world? 62

(c) Project Tomorrow Visit Student, Teacher, Parent & Administrator Data Findings – updated annually National Data Release March 24 Congressional Briefing Key findings available online More Speak Up? 63

(c) Project Tomorrow Visit Reports such as: Learning in the 21 st Century: A National Report of Online Learning (Oct 2007, Updated Jun 2008) Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators Students, Teachers and Parents Speak Up about Science Education (June 2008) Leadership in the 21 st Century: The New Visionary Administrator (October 2008) More Speak Up? 64

(c) Project Tomorrow It has been great to learn with you today. If you have any questions, please contact us: Julie Evans Project Tomorrow x15 Copyright Project Tomorrow This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author. 65

(c) Project Tomorrow Question & Answer Period 3 66