21st Century Kids

Notes from a keynote by Dr. David Dwyer [ACOT]

Department of Education MeetingJuly 2002

Washington, D.C.

The Millenials

11th and 12th graders in America70 million of them 34% are minoritiesGrew up in the longest period of peacetime and economic expansion in American history60% participate in community service

Millenials Rising: The Next Generation, High School Class of 2000

78% believe spirituality is important, and are actively creating their own!34% are multi-tasking at any given moment20% carry cell phones87% are online

50% believe they will own their own business somedayAre looking for quality in careers:

ResponsibilityIndependenceCreativityIdealistic

Have $302 billion in discretionary spending (~$75/week)

Urban Divide

50% graduate from 32 of America’s largest citiesDemonstrate greater at-risk behavior among drop outs

Learning Styles

Want to learn with and from technologyWant to learn onlineIn their own time and placeDoing things that matter!

On an average day

64 million Americans go online:Send emailChatShopDo a search to answer a questionGet driving directionsMake travel arrangementsCheck sports scores

National Report Card

Math is problematic.Science—no improvementUsing technology:

Students gain more skills 30% fasterGreater time on taskStudents write more and betterMore students have greater access to informationMotivation to achieve is greater: attendance, graduation, college-bound possibilities