Listening to the Voices of Our Future National Data Findings from Speak Up 2006 Julie Evans Chief Executive Officer Project Tomorrow Session 3-04 / March 23, 2007

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents Annual national research project  Online surveys  Convenience sampling –open for all K-12 schools Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations  Students, Teachers, Parents (new!) Inform policies & programs  Analysis and reporting  Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way! Since 2003:  795,000 K-12 students  48,000 teachers  15,000 parents  10,000 schools – all 50 states, DC + DOD schools

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 National initiative of Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit organization Our programs and initiatives:  Science Docent Program  Regional Innovation Initiative with high tech industry  Student Voices Resource Center  NSF National Science Digital Library Project TestDrive  Speak Up National Research Project

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents Sponsors & Partners Advanced Network & Services, Inc. And 100+ national and regional nonprofit partners

Let’s talk about... Context Expectations Trends

You just received this text message: dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning Bt lts Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU ReD 2 tlk nw f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao What is your next action?

dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning Bt lts Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU ReD 2 tlk nw f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao What is your next action? 1. Stand up 2. Wave your hand 3. Show us your cell phone 4. I don’t have a clue – I am over 21!

Translation please! dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning Bt lts Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU ReD 2 tlk nw f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao This room is filled with big name fans of anytime, anywhere, anyplace learning. But let’s not be clueless about the kids’ point of view. Are you ready to talk now? If yes, wave your hand. Goodbye.

Let’s add some more context: K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity* 1994 – 3% 1996 – 14% 1998 – 51% 2000 – 77% 2002 – 92% * NCES data

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14% 1998 – 51% 2000 – 77% 2002 – 92%

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14%: Your 1 st Year Students 1998 – 51% 2000 – 77% 2002 – 92%

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14%: Your 1 st Year Students 1998 – 51%: 10 th Grade 2000 – 77% 2002 – 92%

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14%: Your 1 st Year Students 1998 – 51%: 10 th Grade 2000 – 77%: 8 th Grade 2002 – 92%

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14%: Your 1 st Year Students 1998 – 51%: 10 th Grade now 2000 – 77%: 8 th Grade now 2002 – 92%: 6 th Grade now

Context: K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2 nd Graders – where are they now? 1994 – 3%: Your 3 rd Year Students 1996 – 14%: Your 1 st Year Students 1998 – 51%: 10 th Grade now 2000 – 77%: 8 th Grade now 2002 – 92%: 6 th Grade now Who are the real digital natives? Are we ready for those natives?

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 This year’s survey question themes: Learning & Teaching with Technology 21 st Century Skills Communications, Connections & Self-Expression Math & Science Instruction Global Collaborations Competitiveness & Workforce Preparedness Designing Schools of the Future What can we learn about today’s learners to inform your work today & tomorrow?

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Participation Overview: 232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents Students: Elementary (pre K-Gr 5) – 43% Middle School (Gr 6-8) – 35% High School (Gr 9-12) – 21% 50% Girls – 50% Boys 88% say they have a home Teachers: 80% - Classroom assignment 36% - 4 to 15 years experience 42% - have Masters’ Degree Parents:29% member of a PTA/PTO/Booster Club 13% volunteer school

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Participation Overview: All 50 states, DC, Canada, Mexico & American DOD schools Top 10 states: TX, IL, CA, MD, AL, NC, FL, MA, VA, MI School demographics*: 2800 schools 96% public schools – 4% private schools Urban (1/3)Rural (1/3)Suburban (1/3) % of schools that are Title 1 eligible = 41% % of schools w/majority minority school population = 43%

Today’s learners and... Devices & Tools Uses of Technology Value of Technology Skills Schools of the Future

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Preliminary key findings from the student data: Communications is #1 Online connected-ness creating new definition of “friends” Online safety & privacy are not top student concerns Students say: “Make science & math relevant!” Youngest learners are very tech sophisticated Continued disconnect between students & adults

Technology Devices & Tools – besides computers

Using Technology for Schoolwork

teachers – 25% Use online text books – 22% – IM classmate about a project – 40% Check on a grade – 22% Take an online class – 9%

Using Technology for Schoolwork – Online learning 35% of students Gr 6-12 interested in taking an online class Why? 1.To get extra help in a subject area 2.To take a class not offered 3.To work at one’s own pace 4.To get college credit – AP class 5.Interest in the topic What subject areas? Math, Foreign Language

Using Technology for Schoolwork – Assessment How to show what you know? Tests – online and bubble Projects Presentations & portfolios What about tests?  Too much  Worrying a lot  Need to get into college  Need to do well in college

Technology Use – Outside of School

Technology Use – Communications Favorite communications tool? IM Cell phone for talking Cell phone for texting

Technology Use – Communications Favorite communications tool? IM Cell phone for talking Favorite: 36% of students Grades 6-12 Daily use: 73% Gr % Gr % Gr 3-5

Technology Use – Connected-ness Are students using online tools to connect with other students?  Connecting with students in the US - 23%  Connecting with students around the world - 17% Online friends:

Technology Use – Connected-ness Are students using online tools to connect with other students?  Connecting with students in the US - 23%  Connecting with students around the world - 17% Online friends:  44% connect with 20+ online friends monthly  Never met 34% of those friends

Technology Use – Connected-ness Are students using online tools to connect with other students?  Connecting with students in the US - 23%  Connecting with students around the world - 17% Online friends:  44% connect with 20+ online friends monthly  Never met 34% of those friends Redefining what is a “friend”

Technology Use – Connected-ness Make new friends – 34% Blog (create/post) – 22% Sharing writings online – 16% Create a podcast – 6% Posted a video – 13% MySpace page – 51% Worked on a group project – 24% Play online games – 35% Shared music – 15%

Technology Use – Connected-ness Make new friends – 34% Blog (create/post) – 22% Sharing writings online – 16% Create a podcast – 6% Posted a video – 13% MySpace page – 51% Worked on a group project – 24% Play online games – 35% Shared music – 15% Go to websites for TV shows/Movies: 25% of students K-12

Value of Good Tech Skills : Top responses

Math & Science in K-12 schools: how today’s students want to learn Apply math/science to solve real world problems Visit places where science happens Multimedia and interactive simulations Use equipment and tools Solve math puzzles Talk to scientists and mathematicians Learn math/science that will help me with a job All kinds of technology

Math & Science in K-12 schools: how today’s students want to learn Apply math/science to solve real world problems Visit places where science happens Multimedia and interactive simulations Use equipment and tools Solve math puzzles Talk to scientists and mathematicians Learn math/science that will help me with a job All kinds of technology Add relevance to the rigor!

Students and their interest in careers in science, math, technology and engineering?

Schools Today : Obstacles to Using Technology Grades 3-5 Access issues: Lack of computers Inconvenient locations Slow Internet access Grades 6-12 Control issues: Rules against tech tools Teachers control when/where use School filters

Designing K-12 Schools of the Future Students K-12: Laptop for every student Other ideas (from students Gr 6-12):  Use cell phones/MP3 players/Handhelds – 46%  Use /IM/blogs – 45%  Digital moviemaking equipment – 45%  Interactive whiteboards – 44%  Online textbooks – 39%  Online classes - 35%  Lessons/assignments on my iPod – 34%

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Key findings from the teacher data: Impact of technology – “teaching & instructional support” Time is still the #1 obstacle to using tech more in school (Not enough time for science either) Online safety & privacy are top concerns for student tech use Teachers embracing as key tool for parent communications Good impact with school based professional development Majority don’t believe schools are doing a good job preparing kids for 21st century

What do K-12 teachers believe about the value of technology for teaching and learning? Top vote getters: Access to more accurate information – 64% Richer lesson plans – 53% Better able to engage students – 52% Meet varying needs of students – 48% Better able to assess student progress – 35% “Has technology enhanced student performance & achievement?”

What do teachers believe about the value of technology for teaching and learning? Top vote getters: Access to more accurate information – 64% Richer lesson plans – 53% Better able to engage students – 52% Meet varying needs of students – 48% Better able to assess student progress – 35% “Has technology enhanced student performance & achievement?” 75% say yes: student engagement in learning

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Key findings from the parent data: Satisfaction with school technology? Mixed results. Want school info “pushed” out via Online safety & privacy top concerns for student tech use Support students having cell school Value math & science for all students Real concern about global job competition & getting into a good college Majority do not believe schools are doing good job preparing kids for 21st century

From the parent & teacher data...

How well is your school doing in preparing your children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century? Response “Yes” Parents – 48% Teachers – 47%

From the parent & teacher data... How well is your school doing in preparing your children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century? Response “Yes” Parents – 48% Teachers – 47% Over 50% of parents and teachers believe their schools are not doing a good job.

Trends to watch – as the real digital natives go to college! Spectrum of digital native-ness New communications devices and tools Online learning with online tools Connecting without boundaries Technology as tool – not fad or fun Inclusion of student ideas in planning

Speak Up : Next steps Briefings & Conferences National Report More analysis - Customized reports Special Focus Reports – sampling of topics: 21st century skills Online learning Global collaborations Communications and self-expression Speak Up 2007 – October 1, 2007

Thank you! Julie Evans Chief Executive Officer

“Listening to the Voices of Our Future” CAMEX 2007 Session 3-04 Speak Up 2006 for Students, Teachers and Parents 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.