Are we Ready for the New 21st Century Learners?

Tomorrow’s Students: Are We Ready for the

New 21st Century Learners?

Copyright Project Tomorrow 2007. 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. 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.

Tomorrow’s Students:

Are We Ready for the

New 21st Century

Learners?

Julie EvansChief Executive Officer

Project Tomorrow

October 25, 2007

Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay) - a national education nonprofit organization

Our strengths:

Provide national leadership to improve education Incubate and replicate science, math & technology programs that engage K-12 students

Leverage online tools, resources and events to build local capacities

Conduct national research to inform and stimulate new discussions around education topics

What is Speak Up?

• Annual national research project– Online surveys– Open for all K-12 schools– Schools/districts get their own data for planning and budgeting– Facilitated by Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit group

• Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations– Students, Teachers, Parents and School Leaders

• Inform policies & programs– Analysis and reporting– Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way!

• 5 years of strong national participation – since 2003:– 795,000 K-12 students– 48,000 teachers– 15,000 parents– 10,000 schools – all 50 states, DC + DOD schools

What is Speak Up?

Speak Up 2007:

Online surveys opened up on October 15th

Surveys submitted as of this morning:

6480 Elementary School Students9234 Middle and High School

Students1069 Teachers738 Parents183 School Leaders

More on Speak Up 2007 later . . .

“Technology has changed the way I deliver content to students and the

products I expect back from students. The use of technology is more

consistent with how the students interact with the world and with what

will be expected of them in the future.”

High School Science Teacherwith 16+ years of teaching experience

Daviess County, Kentucky

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006

Participation Overview:

232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents

All 50 states, DC, Canada, Mexico & American DOD schools

Top 10 states: TX, IL, CA, MD, AL, NC, FL, MA, VA, MI Top School District: Chicago Public Schools

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%

* NCES Common Core of Data 2003/2004


• The survey question themes:

Learning & Teaching with Technology21st Century SkillsCommunications, Connections & Self-ExpressionMath & Science InstructionGlobal CollaborationsCompetitiveness & Workforce PreparednessDesigning Schools of the Future


• The survey question themes:

Learning & Teaching with Technology21st Century SkillsCommunications, Connections & Self-ExpressionMath & Science InstructionGlobal CollaborationsCompetitiveness & Workforce PreparednessDesigning Schools of the Future

Let’s learn about your students of tomorrow - by examining the behaviors and aspirations of the new 21st century learner!

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 up2. Wave your hand3. Show us your cell phone4. I don’t have a clue – I am over 25!

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 talk about . . .

Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations

Disconnects & Differences

Trends & Leverage Points


Key findings from the student data:

• Communications is #1 • Online connected-ness creating new “friends”

• Online safety & privacy are not top student concerns

• Self-directed learning on the rise

• Students say: “Make science & math relevant!”

• Continued disconnect between students & adults

• Increasing tech sophistication of the youngest learners

Let’s add some context:

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity*

1994 – 3%

1996 – 14%

1998 – 51%

2000 – 77%

2002 – 92%

* NCES data

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2nd Graders – where are they now?

1994 – 3%: Your 3rd Year Students

1996 – 14%: Your 1st Year Students

1998 – 51%

2000 – 77%

2002 – 92%

K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity 2nd Graders – where are they now?

1994 – 3%: Your 3rd Year Students

1996 – 14%: Your 1st Year Students

1998 – 51%: 10th grade nowYour freshman in 2010



Setting the context : K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity

1998 – 51%: 10th grade now – your freshman in 2010



Who are the real digital natives?

Are we ready for those natives?

Besides computers, what other devices are K-12 students using?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Cell Phones MP3 Game Players

K-2

Gr 3-5

Gr 6-12

How are K-12 students using technology for schoolwork?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Research Keyboarding Presentations Tests

K-2

Gr 3-5

Gr 6-8

Gr 9-12


Email teachers – 25%

Use online text books – 22%

Email – IM classmate about a project – 40%

Check on a grade – 22%

Take an online class – 9%


Online learning

35% of students Gr 6-12 interested in taking an online class

Why?1. To get extra help in a subject area2. To take a class not offered3. To work at one’s own pace4. To get college credit – AP class5. Interest in the topic

What subject areas? Math, Foreign Language

Technology Use – Outside of School: The Big Four

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Email/IM Games Music MySpace

K-2

Gr 3-5

Gr 6-8

Gr 9-12

Technology Use – Outside of School: Communications

Favorite communications tool?

Email

IM

Cell phone for talking

Cell phone for texting

Technology Use – Outside of School: Communications

Favorite communications tool?

Email

IM

Cell phone for talkingFavorite: 36% of students Grades 6-12

Daily use: 73% Gr 9-1257% Gr 6-8

42% 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:




Online friends:

44% connect with 20+ online friends monthly

Never met 34% of those friends




Online friends: 44% connect with 20+ online friends monthly Never met 34% of those friends

Redefining what is a “friend”


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

Why do K-12 students value good tech skills?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Get a job Collegesuccess

Worldawareness

Do well inschool

Gr 3-5

Gr 6-8

Gr 9-12

How do students want to learn science?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Inve

stig

atio

ns

Scienc

e Pla

ces

Scient

ists

Simula

tions

Resea

rch

Equipm

ent

Real W

orld

Pro

blem

s

Job

Skills

Natl 6-8

Natl 9-12

K-12 student interest in STEM careers?

Not interested in a STEM Career

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12

Students

Obstacles to using technology for schoolwork

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

“What if you were designing a new school for students

just like you?”

“What if you were designing a new school for students just like you?”

Students Kindergarten thru Grade 12 all say

the same thing:

A laptop for every student

Designing ultimate school for 21st century learners

Other ideas (from students Gr 6-12):

Use cell phones/MP3 players/Handhelds – 46%Use email/IM/blogs – 45%Digital moviemaking equipment – 45%Interactive whiteboards – 44%Online textbooks – 39%Online classes - 35%Lessons/assignments on my MP3 player – 34%


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 email as key tool for parent communications

• Impact of professional development

• Majority don’t believe schools are doing a good job preparing kids for 21st century


Key findings from the parent data: • Satisfaction with school technology? Mixed results. • Strong preferences for home-school connections

• Online safety & privacy concerns for student tech use

• Support students having cell phones @ school

• Value math & science for all students– Concerned about global job competition

• Majority do not believe that their local schools are doing a good job preparing kids for 21st century


Student Tech Use Concerns

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Gr 6-12 Students Teachers Parents

Cyberbullying

Privacy

Spam

Bad websites

Digital equity

Online cheating

Girls & Tech

Predators

Too much time


Which 21st century skills are most important?

Parents: #1 – Critical thinking#2 – Problem solving#3 – Work ethic




Teachers:#1 – Critical thinking#2 – Problem solving#3 – Technology skills




Teachers:#1 – Critical thinking#2 – Problem solving#3 – Technology skills

Students:#1 Tied: Critical thinking & Technology skills


How well is your school doing inpreparing you/children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century?

Response “Yes”

• Students – 38%• Parents – 48%• Teachers – 47%


How well is your school doing inpreparing you/children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century?

Response “Yes”

• Students – 38%• Parents – 48%• Teachers – 47%

Over 50% of parents and teachers & 62%

of high school students believe

their schools are not

doing a good job.

Trends to Watch

Spectrum of digital native-ness

New uses for communications devices and tools

Connecting without boundaries – new friends

Technology as tool – not fad or fun

Inclusion of student ideas into planning and investments

Leverage Points for Higher Education

Use this data to inform your teaching and learning practices

Embrace emerging technologies creatively

Leave your own paradigms/assumptions at your own desk

Ask real questions – do the research

Include your students in planning and decisions


Briefings & Conferences including podcast of the Congressional Briefing – visit www.tomorrow.org

New report:

Learning in the 21st Century: A National Report of Online Learning(done in conjunction with Blackboard Inc.)


Presentations and workshops this year for higher education community:

ELI Annual Meeting

DePauw University - 2007 K-12 Bridge Symposium

Brown University - Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning 20th Anniversary Conference

Speak Up 2007

Online surveys for K-12 students, teachers, parents (in English & Spanish) and school leaders

All US and Canadian K-12 schools can participate – get aggregated data back with national benchmarks

This year’s survey question themes: •Learning & Teaching with Technology•Web 2.0 in education•21st Century Skills•Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness•Online Learning•Emerging Technologies in the Classroom•Designing the Ultimate School of the Future

Surveys open

October 15 – December

15

Speak Up 2007

Sponsors:

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/

Speak Up 2007

Use our data

Share information about Speak Up with your affiliated K-12 schools

Help us with data analysis

Engage us in your activities and events

Julie EvansChief Executive Officer

949-609-4660 [email protected]

Tomorrow’s Students: Are we ready for the

21st century learners?

Thank you for your participation today!