coming soon to campus: the new "free agent" learner
TRANSCRIPT
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Coming Soon to Campus: The New “Free Agent” Learner
Are You Ready?
Julie EvansProject Tomorrow
CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY 09Boston, MassachusettsJuly 27 – 30, 2009
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Coming Soon to Campus: The New “Free Agent” Learner
Today’s Discussion
Research about K-12 Students & Technology Use: Speak Up Project
The Top Trends We Are Watching
Introducing the “Free Agent Learner”
What does this mean for your institution?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
“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) NicholsonDirector of eLearning Programs
Chicago Public Schools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
• 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, Administrators
• Inform policies & programs– Analysis and reporting – national reports, state reports, district reports – Services: custom reports, consulting services, webinars– 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– 18,000 schools – from all 50 states, DC, American military base
schools, Canada, Mexico, Australia
What is Speak Up?
1.5 million respondents
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Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow
(formerly known as NetDay)
Project Tomorrow is the leading
education nonprofit organization
dedicated to the empowerment
of student voices in education.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Inviting all K-12 Districts and Schools of Education to
participate in Speak Up 2009
Speak Up 2009 Oct 12 – Dec 18
New online surveys for:
K-12 StudentsTeachersParents
Administrators Pre-Service Teachers
All institutions get a free report with
complete data
No fee to participateNo limit on # of surveys
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
K-12 Students 281,500 Teachers 29,644 Parents (in English & Spanish) 21,309 School/District Administrators 3,114 Schools / Districts 4,379 / 868 States All 50
o Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, AL, IL, MD, FL, NC, NE, WI
About Speak Up Schools:
– 95% public, 3% private, 2% virtual
– 35% urban, 32% suburban, 33% rural
– 45% Title 1 eligible – indication of high poverty
– 34% majority-minority student population
National Speak Up 2008 Participation
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Learning & Teaching with Technology
Web 2.0 in Education
Broadband Access & Policy
21st Century Skills: Information/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
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Research about K-12 Students & Technology Use
Speak Up 2008Selected Data Findings
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Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
Who am I?
Warm Up Exercise
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Who am I?
Self – Assessment of Tech Skills (Advanced, Average, Beginner)
Role
Gender
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Who am I? Profile characteristics:
Wishes for their ultimate school Digital media tools (31%) High tech science tools (39%) Online tools for organization (35%)
Access to mobile devices: MP3 player (44%) Game player (53%) Laptop (44%)
Participates in
immersive virtual reality
environments (39%)
Uses Internet for education research (51%) and online assessments (35%)
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Audience Response: Who am I?
A. Advanced Tech User
B. Average Tech User
C. Beginner Tech User
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Audience Response: Who am I?
A. Kindergarten student
B. Student - Grade 3
C. Student - Grade 7
D. Student - Grade 10
E. College Freshman
F. Teacher
G. School Principal
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Audience Response: Who am I?
A. Girl/Female
B. Boy/Male
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Audience Response: Who am I?
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Who am I? 3rd Grade Girl – Average Tech Skills
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Meet a 3rd grade girl with average tech skills:
Wishes for their ultimate school Digital media tools (31%) High tech science tools (39%) Online tools for organization (35%)
Access to mobile devices: MP3 player (44%) Game player (53%) Laptop (44%)
Participates in
immersive virtual reality
environments (39%)
Uses Internet for education research (51%) and online assessments (35%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
Today’s K-12 Students
Adopting/adapting technologies for learning
Tech trend setters
Their use predicts widespread acceptance
Out of school use drives in school use
Pace car for others
Teachers ultimately catch up
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Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
Case Study: Use of technology for communications
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Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
Case Study: Use of technology for communications
1.Students use tools for personal communications
2.Students expand use to schoolwork
3.Teachers adopt for adult communications
4.Some teachers now using for student feedback
5.Students’ use waning
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Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
So, what are the next
emerging technologies to be
paced
by the “Digital Advance
Team?”
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Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
Let’s listen in and learn!
What we are hearing:
K-12 districts are using Speak Up data as input for decisions on how to effectively leverage the historic stimulus funds
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Students, teachers, parents &
administrators
Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations
Disconnects & Differences
Trends & Leverage Points
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
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“Digital disconnect” is alive &
well:
the gap between how
today’s students learn
and
how they live!
Key findings from Speak Up data:
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“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 data:
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Let’s get to know each other!
Audience Response
How would you assess your own technology skills compared to your peers?
A.Beginner
B.Average
C.Advanced
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a. 7%
b. 22%
c. 71%
Audience Response: What % of students in 9th grade consider themselves “advanced tech users?”
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Students: Tech Self Assessment
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
3rd
6th
9th
12th
Beginner
Average
Advanced
Digital Disconnect – in perceptions
22% - Advanced
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
“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 data:
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Let’s add some context:
K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Classroom InternetConnectivity
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Let’s add some context:
K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Classroom InternetConnectivity
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Let’s add some context:
Thinking about your students:
How did they use technology within learning
and instruction in their K-12 lives?
Based upon those experiences, what are their
expectations for your classrooms?
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Let’s think about your students:
Class of 2009 – just graduated seniors
Class of 2011 – your current 3rd year students
Class of 2013 – your current incoming freshman
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What grade where they in . . . when we reached the 90% Internet access in K12 classrooms?
Class of 2009 – just graduated seniors10th grade in high school
Class of 2011 – your current 3rd year students8th grade in middle school
Class of 2013 – your current incoming freshman6th grade in middle school
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What grade where they in . . . when we reached 90% Internet access in K12 classrooms?
Class of 2009 – just graduated seniors10th grade in high school
Class of 2011 – your current 3rd year students8th grade in middle school
Class of 2013 – your current incoming freshman6th grade in middle school
Are they really “digital natives?”
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Let’s think about your future students:
Class of 2015 – incoming to 11th grade
Class of 2017 – incoming to 9th grade
Class of 2019 – incoming to 7th grade
How digitally native are these students?
What are their expectations for learning?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What grade where they in . . . when we reached
90% Internet access in K12 classrooms?
Class of 2015 – incoming to 11th grade 4th grade in elementary school
Class of 2017 – incoming to 9th grade 2nd grade
Class of 2019 – incoming to 7th gradeKindergarten
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What grade where they in . . . when we reached
90% Internet access in K12 classrooms?
Class of 2015 – incoming to 11th grade 4th grade in elementary school
Class of 2017 – incoming to 9th grade 2nd grade
Class of 2019 – incoming to 7th gradeKindergarten
Are you ready for these students and their expectations for you?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Besides writing and Internet research, how are students using technology for schoolwork?
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Access class info
Communicate with others
Create ppts/videos
Use MySpace for collaboration
Upload to school portal
Play ed games
Take online class
Use online textbook
Take online test
Gr 9-12
Gr 6-8
Gr 3-5
K-2
How are students using technology for schoolwork?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
How satisfied are today’s
K-12 students with technology use at
their school?
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How satisfied are today’s K-12 students with technology use at their school?
Students say:
Not very!
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Besides time, what are the major obstacles students face using technology at school?
Top responses:
1. School filters and firewalls block websites I need
2. Teachers limit our technology use
3. Too many rules!
• Cannot use my own devices
• Cannot access my communications tools
• Rules that limit use of my school’s
technology
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
How schools could make it easier for students to work electronically?
Students say:
1. Let me use my own laptop, cell phone
or mobile device
2. Give me unlimited Internet access
3. Let me access my school projects from any
computer – home or at school
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
1. The mobile learner
2. It’s a Web 2.0 World
3. “I’ll take that class to go!”
4. The ultimate online textbook
5. Exploring STEM careers
Digital Advance Team Trends
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1. The mobile learner– Cell phones– Laptops– MP3 players– Smartphones & PDAs
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
The Mobile Learner
Student Access to Mobile Devices
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Cell Phone MP3 Smartphone Laptop
K-2
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-8
Gr 9-12
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
• Communications– Email 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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
2. It’s a Web 2.0 World
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
How are students using Web 2.0 tools?
Communications
Creation
Collaboration
Contribution
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Web 2.0 Applications
Using Web 2.0 Tools to Create
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Create new - mashups
Update profile
Up/down digital media
Create/modify digital media
List of resources
AlertsParents
Administrators
Teachers
Students Gr 6-12
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Web 2.0 Applications
Using Web 2.0 Tools to Collaborate & Contribute
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Wiki
Gaming
Virtual reality
Writing
BlogParents
Administrators
Teachers
Students Gr 9-12
Students Gr 6-8
Students Gr 3-5
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
How are students using Web 2.0 tools for schoolwork?
Significant changes from 2007:
Email/IM/Text
Using social networking site to collaborate with classmates
150%
27%
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3. “I’ll take that class to go!”
• Online learning
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students: Have you taken or researched an online class?
20% of high school students
26% of middle school students
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
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 3-5
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Is there interest in taking online classes? Yes!
Interest in taking an online class:
+ 40% of high school students
+ 35% of middle school students
21%
46%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
a. Earn college creditb. Work at my own pacec. Take class not offeredd. Complete school requiremente. Get extra help in a subjectf. To fit scheduleg. Easier to learn
Audience Response:
What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class?
Students Speak Up about Reasons for Taking Online Classes
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Earn college credit
Work at my ownpace
Take class notoffered at my school
Complete HSrequirements
Get extra help in asubject
Fit my schedule
Easier for me to learnin an online class
G9-12
G6-8
G3-5
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
How would online classes make school more interesting for students?
1. Puts me 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%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
4. The ultimate online textbook
What if . . . . students designed
a new kind of textbook?
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Desired features:
– Electronic notes and highlighting (63%)
– Self assessments (62%)
– Links to real time data (52%)
– Games (57%) and simulations (55%)
– Powerpoint presentations of lectures
(55%)
– Access to online tutors (53%)
– Create own podcasts and videocasts
(48%)
Students design an online textbook
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
- Ability to download information to my cell phone
• Gr 3-5: 25%
• Gr 6-8: 53%
• Gr 9-12: 53%
Students design the online textbook
Desired features continued:
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5. Exploring STEM careers
Digital Advance Team Trends
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students: Exploring STEM Careers
Student Interest in STEM Careers
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Maybe
Somewhat
Yes
Gr 9-12
Gr 6-8
Gr 3-5
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students: Exploring STEM careers
What would increase your interest?
Top responses:
Meet with successful career
professionals
Work part time jobs in the fields
Use tools professionals use
Day in the Life podcasts and videos
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Is your school doing a good job
preparing students for jobs of the future?
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Is your school doing a good job preparing students for jobs of the future?
Who said yes?
Principals 56%
Teachers 42%
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Is your school doing a good job preparing students for jobs of the future?
Who said yes?
Principals 56%
Teachers 42%
Parents 32%
Students 39%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What if you could design the ultimate school or classroom . . . .
what technologies would have the greatest impact on your learning?
Many districts are looking at this data to inform stimulus funding decisions
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
a. Games and virtual simulations
b. Interactive whiteboards
c. Personal laptops for each student
d. Student access to email and IM at
school
e. Using mobile devices for learning
f. Online classes
g. Digital content
Audience Response:
What do K-12 students say is the #1 tech toolor service that will impact their learning?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students in Kindergarten thru 12th grade say the same thing every year:
What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students in Kindergarten thru 12th grade say the same thing every year:
What do students say is the #1 tech tool
or service that will impact their learning?
“Give me a laptop for my personal use at school and at home”
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
What if you could design the ultimate school?
Designing the Ultimate School
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Communications tools
Digital media tools
Mobile devices
Digital content
Laptops
Internet access
Games
Interactive boards
Online classes
Gr 6-12
Teachers
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
But what is the #1 trend we are
watching with today’s K-12
students?
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
#1 Trend:
The era of the technology-
enabled
Free Agent Learner
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Free Agent Learner
Characteristics:– Self directed learning– Un-tethered to traditional education – Expert at personal data aggregation
Examples: Online learning
Control over knowledge authenticity
Online “textbooks”Self-driven assessments
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Free Agent Learner
Characteristics: – Power of connections– Creating new communities– Not tethered to physical networks
Example: Mobile devices
Web 2.0 tools/applicationsSocial based learning
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Free Agent Learner
Characteristics: – Experiential learning – make it real – Content developers– Process as important as knowledge gained
(sometimes more important) Examples: Gaming, simulations, animations
Virtual/immersive environmentsWeb 2.0 / Multimedia contentCareer exploration
Speak Up 2008 Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
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 we need to be discussing today?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Tough questions:
ContentWhat is content today?
What will define it tomorrow?
CultureHow will these “Free Agents” fit into our existing culture
or is a new culture required/preferred?
CompetitionDo we need new “business models?”
ControlWho controls the learning process in this new world?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Students: If you were the school principal . . . what is the #1 thing you would do?
Listen to students’ ideas (59%)
Make sure students feel safe at school (58%)
Treat all students equally (57%)
Get teachers interested in student success (56%)
Let student earn college credits (53%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Recommendations from the“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
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Recommendations from the“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
• Un-tether learning• New learning spaces• Social based learning• Digital resources add relevancy• Go beyond classroom walls
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Recommendations from the“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening? Are we ready?
Learning that is
• Enabled• Engaging• Empowered
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Recommendations from the“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening? Are we ready?
Learning that is
• Enabled• Engaging• Empowered
How do we get there?
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The Future Voice of Education?
It is here today . . .
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The Future Voice of Education?It is here today . . .
I believe that "the purpose of education is not to make men carpenters, but to make carpenters men." To be competitive in a workplace that is changing and will change continuously throughout our careers, my peers and I need to be able to read and understand new information at a level never before prevalent. This should be, however, a familiar aim for the forces of academia, however, since what we must learn, in essence, is to learn.
I would ensure a broad and balanced education that exposes every student to rigorous inquiry in every discipline, from physics to pottery and makes them active participants in the process of inquiry and learning.
(11th grader, Pittsburgh PA)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators Students,
Teachers and Parents Speak Up about Science Education (June 2008)
Leadership in the 21st Century:
The New Visionary Administrator
(October 2008)
Learning in the 21st Century:Online Learning
(October 2007) Trends Updates: 2008 and 2009
More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org
Reports such as:
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Student, Teacher, Parent & Administrator Data Findings – updated annually
National Data Release
• March 24
• Congressional Briefing
• Washington DC
• Top level findings available online
Release of the Speak Up National Findings
www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_congress.html
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
Inviting all K-12 Districts and Schools of Education to
participate in Speak Up 2009
Speak Up 2009 Oct 12 – Dec 18
New online surveys for:
K-12 StudentsTeachersParents
Administrators Pre-Service Teachers
All institutions get a free report with
complete data
No fee to participateNo limit on # of surveys
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009
More data and reports are available on
our website: www.tomorrow.org
Julie EvansProject Tomorrow
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