“Using Technology to Promote Student Success: The New Student Vision for 21st Century Digital Learning”

Using Technology to Promote Student Success:

The New Student Vision

for 21st Century Digital Learning

Speak Up 2011 National Findings Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow CEO

March 22, 2012

Tonight’s Discussion: The Big Questions

� What are the expectations of K-12 students for digital

learning?

� How does that student vision compare with the teachers’ & administrators’ reality? What is the

unique parent perspective on digital learning?

� How well are today’s K-12 schools meeting the expectations of students?

� What are the emerging trends in learning that we all should be watching?

About Project Tomorrow

National education nonprofit organization

Focus on improving K12 science, math and technology education – workforce skill development

Research, Program Evaluation, School and Community Programs

� Speak Up National Research Project

� YouthTEACH2Learn

� Innovation Awards

� CA Future Educators Association

� Program evaluation in mobile learning, digital content, professional

development, STEM career exploration and 21st century skill

development

Discussion Agenda:

About the Speak Up Project

The Student Vision for Digital Learning

Educators’ Realities, Parents’ Perspectives

Trends to Watch

Speak Up 2011 Findings: Nat’l, CA & San Diego CtyViews of K-12 Students, Teachers,

Parents and Administrators

Annual national research project

� Online surveys + focus groups

� Open for all K-12 schools and schools of education

� Institutions receive free report with their own data

Collect ideas ↔ Stimulate conversations

� K-12 Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators

� Pre-Service Teachers in Schools of Education

Inform policies & programs

� Analysis and reporting of findings and trends

� Consulting services to help transform teaching and learning

Speak Up National Research Project

+ 2.6 million surveys since 2003

� Learning & Teaching with Technology

� 21st Century Skills: Digital Citizenship

� Science and Math Instruction

� Career Interests in STEM and Teaching

� Professional Development / Teacher Preparation

� Internet Safety

� Administrators’ Challenges

� Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

� Mobile Devices, Online Learning, Digital Content, E-textbooks

� Educational Games, Web 2.0 tools and applications

� Designing the 21st Century School

Speak Up survey question themes

National, California and San Diego County Speak Up 2011 Participation

National California San Diego County

Students 330,117 41,736 10,738

Teachers 38,502 4,122 1,335

Administrators 4,133 555 174

Parents 44,006 8,515 2,513

What can the Speak Up findings

tell us about the future of

learning?

Speak Up National Research ProjectKey Findings: Speak Up 2003 – 2011

� Students function as a “Digital Advance Team”

� Students regularly adopt and adapt emerging

technologies for learning

� Students’ frustrations focus on the unsophisticated use

of technologies within education

� Persistent digital disconnect between students and

adults

� Exacerbation of lack of relevancy in current education

Let’s set some context . . . .

Administrators’ Realities

What has the greatest potential to enhance student

achievement?

School Site District Level

Enhancing teacher effectiveness

59% 59%

21st century skills integration

49% 55%

Leveraging technology 38% 52%

Common Core Standards

39% 34%

Engaging parents as co-teachers

37% 31%


What challenges are “waking you up” in the middle of the night?”

Adequate funding

Achievement on test scores

Closing the achievement gap

Staff morale and motivation

Student behavior

School safety

Using data to assess student achievement

Use of technology within instruction


Impact of recent fiscal crisis on budgets


Impact of recent fiscal crisis on budgets

What tech solutions are you considering to help with your budget situation?

1. Digital textbooks 43%

2. Tablets instead of laptops for students 39%

3. Online PD 37%

4. Cloud computing solutions 35%

5. Online classes for students 30%

6. Allowing student use of personal devices 27%


Personal use of emerging technology = higher value

proposition for classroom use

San Diego Parents

Concerns about your child’s school:

1. Classes are too big (56%)

2. Too much emphasis on tests (28%)

Concerns about your child’s future:

1. Is my child learning the right skills to be

successful? (72%)

2. Will my child be able to afford a home here?

(42%)

3. Will my child be competing for good jobs with

better educated global workers? (40%)

4. Will my child get into a good college? (35%)

Importance of effective use of technology within instruction

Warm Up

Interactive Exercise

A STUDENT’S

LIFE

In my life, I ……..

Play games on handheld devices (57%)

Take tests online for school (40%)

Have a cell phone or smartphone (40%)

Read books on my mobile device (53%)

Want more internet access at school (50%)

and want to take an online class (40%)

Who is . . . . . ?

1. 1st Grade Boy

2. 3rd Grade Girl

3. 6th Grade Boy

4. 9th Grade Girl

5. 12th Grade Boy

Who is a 3rd

Grade Girl?

(from a rural

community)

In my life, I ……..

Play games on handheld devices (57%)

Take tests online for school (40%)

Have a cell phone or smartphone (40%)

Read books on my mobile device (53%)

Want more internet access at school (50%)

and want to take an online class (40%)

A new uniquely “student vision” for leveraging emerging technologies to drive achievement and educational

productivity

Emerging from the Speak Up research:

A new uniquely “student vision” for leveraging emerging technologies to drive achievement and educational

productivity

Emerging from the Speak Up research:

This student vision for “technology

enabled learning” mirrors how

students want to learn in general

Social–based learning

Un–tethered learning

Digitally–rich learning

The New Student Vision for Learning

Three Essential Elements


Students want to leverage

emerging communications

and collaboration tools to

create personal learning

networks of experts



Un-tethered learning

Students envision

technology-enabled learning

that transcends classroom

walls



Digitally-rich

learning

Students see the use of

relevancy-based digital

tools, content and

resources as key to

education productivity


The New 3 E’s of Education: Enabled, Engaged, Empowered

Key Trends:

� Mobile Learning

� Online Learning

� Digital Content


Key Trends: Mobile Learning

Students and their devices

San Diego County: Personal Access to Mobile Devices

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

Cell phone (without internet

access)15% 23% 50% 53%

Smart phone 12% 17% 35% 48%

Digital reader 6% 9% 17% 13%

MP3 23% 47% 76% 86%

Tablet device 23% 21% 29% 23%

Obstacles to using tech @ school?

� 52% of students Gr 6-12 say “not being able to use

my mobile device” is a major obstacle




Solutions?

“Let me use my own device” – 54%

OR

“Provide me with device I can use @school – 34%




Solutions?

“Let me use my own device” – 54%

OR

“Provide me with device I can use @school – 34%

Either way: I need more outlets for re-charging (29%)!

How would you use a mobile device to help you

with schoolwork?

A. Increase effectiveness of school:

Check grades 82%

Take notes for class 67%

Access online textbooks 64%

Write papers and do homework 58%

Use the calendar 48%

Learn about school activities 47%

Students and mobile learning

How would you use a mobile device to help you

with schoolwork?


B. Leverage capabilities to increase personalization

of learning process:

Anytime, anywhere research 73%

Receive reminders & alerts 64%

Collaborate with peers & teachers 59%

Organize schoolwork assignments 51%

Access school network from home 49%

How likely are you this year to allow students to use

their own mobile devices for instructional purposes

at school?

School principals’ point of view on mobile learning

School principals’ point of view on mobile learning

“What is holding you back?”

Top challenges:

� Concerns about theft of devices

� Concerns about network security

� Digital equity issues

� Teachers are not trained

� Devices could be a distraction

Mobile learning visions

Parents offer a solution to the digital equity challenge

If your child’s school allowed for the use of mobile

devices for educational purposes, how likely is it

that you would purchase one for your child?

If your child’s school allowed for the use of mobile devices

for educational purposes, how likely is it that you would

purchase one for your child?


Let’s talk about home access

Students' Self Reporting on Home Internet Access

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

School provided

device

Mobile device access

Broadband access

Gr 6-8

Gr 9-12


Key Trends: Online Learning

Who is learning online?

Types of online learning

experiences

Students:

Gr 6-8

Students:

Gr 9-12

100% online school 7% 5%

Online self study class 10% 16%

Teacher led online class 7% 9%

Online class for personal

interests

9% 10%

San Diego students and parents are interested in online learning

If you have not taken an online class, would you like to?

Yes! Students in Grades 3-5 20%Students in Grades 6-8 46%Students in Grades 9-12 45%

What would you recommend as a good investment to enhance student achievement?

1/3 of parents say “online classes”

A STUDENT’S

LIFE

A STUDENT’S

LIFE

San Diego students are most

interested in taking an online class in

this subject

What is . . . . . ?

1. English – Language Arts

2. Science

3. Math

4. History – Social Studies

5. Foreign Language

43% - Gr 6-8 Students 32% - Gr 9-12 Students

What is . . . . . A tie!

1. English – Language Arts

2. Science

3. Math4. History – Social Studies

5. Foreign Language

Why take an online class?

For high school students, traditional reasons:

scheduling and college credit.

For middle school students, it’s about changing the

learning paradigm.

Why take an online class?

For high school students, traditional reasons: scheduling and

college credit.

For middle school students, it’s about changing the learning

paradigm.

� Get extra help in a tough subject

� More comfortable asking questions

� In control of my own learning

� More motivated to learn

� Work at my own pace

� Review class materials whenever I want

� Share ideas with my classmates


Online learning snapshot:

� 46% of CA administrators have taken an online class for PD

� 23% have taken a blended online class for PD

� 52% say greatest benefit to students is academic remediation

� 34% value online classes in their ultimate school vision


Most significant barriers however to expanding online

learning for students:

1. Concern about quality of student-teacher interaction

2. Lack of infrastructure to support online learning

3. How to evaluate quality of courses

4. How to create rigorous classes

5. Finding teachers to teach online classes


Key Trends: Digital Content

Inside today’s classroom

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Listen to podcasts

Access realtimedata/databases

Use e-textbooks

Conduct virtualexperiments/simulations

Play educational games

Create presentations andmedia

How San Diego County Students are Using Digital Content for Schoolwork

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

Inside today’s classroom

How Students are Using Digital Content for Schoolwork

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Listen to podcasts

Access realtime

data/databases

Use e-textbooks

Conduct virtual

experiments/simulations

Play educational games

Create presentations and

media

Gr 9-12

Gr 6-8

Gr 3-5

Gr 6-8: Increase of 41% in use of e-textbooks from 2010 to 2011


Most significant barriers however to integrating digital

content into curriculum

1. Providing enough technology to support the use

2. Balancing time issues

3. Teachers are not trained in how to use effectively

4. How to evaluate the quality of the content

5. Locating affordable content aligned to our curriculum

What is most important when evaluating quality of digital content?

Administrators say:

Student achievement (57%)

Teacher evaluation (49%)

Created by teachers (33%)

Certified by ed org (32%)

Content expertise (32%

Conference demo (28%)

Content is free (27%)


Administrators say: Teachers say:

Student achievement (57%) Created by teachers (55%)

Teacher evaluation (49%) Content is free (53%)

Created by teachers (33%) Colleague referral (50%)

Certified by ed org (32%) Teacher evaluation (42%)

Content expertise (32%) Student achievement (38%)

Conference demo (28%) Certified by ed org (37%)

Content is free (27%) Content expertise (29%)


Administrators say: Teachers say:

Student achievement (57%) Created by teachers (55%)

Teacher evaluation (49%) Content is free (53%)

Created by teachers (33%) Colleague referral (50%)

Certified by ed org (32%) Teacher evaluation (42%)

Content expertise (32%) Student achievement(38%)

Conference demo (28%) Certified by ed org (37%)

Content is free (27%) Content expertise (29%)

A STUDENT’S

LIFE

#1 way to improve math

class

What is . . . . . ?

1. Having a teacher who is excited about

math

2. Using an online textbook

3. Solving real world problems

4. Collaborating with classmates

5. Using a mobile device in class

What is

collaborating

with classmates

on solving

problems?

Your middle school students’ “speak up” about the ultimate math class

� Collaborate with classmates on problem solving 50%

� Ability to text my teacher with questions 42%

� I have a connection with my teacher 38%

� My teacher is excited about math 37%

� Solving real world problems 32%

� Ability to use mobile devices to video problems 32%

� Access to online tutors 30%

� Access to online textbooks 31%

� Take an online math class 27%


Un–tethered learning

Digitally–rich learning


The use of technology in schools today

Do you agree with this statement?

“My school is doing a good job

of using technology to

enhance learning and student

achievement.”

“My school is doing a good job of using technology to enhance learning and student achievement.”

Yes!

• 74% of high school teachers• 72% of high school principals• 62% of parents of high school aged children

“My school is doing a good job of using technology to enhance learning and student achievement.”

Yes!

• 74% of high school teachers• 72% of high school principals• 62% of parents of high school aged children

But only 44% of San Diego Countyhigh school students agree!

Imagine you are designing the ultimate

school for today’s students,

what technologies would have the

greatest impact on learning?

Imagine you are designing the ultimate

school for today’s students,

what technologies would have the

greatest impact on learning?

Creating a shared vision? Creating a shared vision? Creating a shared vision? Creating a shared vision?

Designing the Ultimate School: Do we have a shared vision?

Tonight’s Discussion: The Big Questions

� What are the expectations of K-12 students for digital

learning?

� How does that student vision compare with the teachers’ & administrators’ reality? What is the

unique parent perspective on digital learning?

� How well are today’s K-12 schools meeting the expectations of students?

� What are the emerging trends in learning that we all should be watching?

What is the bottom line?

Today’s K-12 students

want learning that is:

Enabled

Engaging

Empowered

Key trends we are watching:

� Continuing “digital disconnects”

� Spectrum of digital native-ness

� 24/7 access redefined

� Inadequacy of the 1-to-1 paradigm

� Everyone needs a personal learning

network

� Responsible use vs. acceptable use

� Blurring of informal & formal learning lines

Key trends we are watching:

� Collaborations driving 21st century skills

� Game-ification momentum – learning as

process

� Students as content producers

� Changing ideals for assessment

� It’s really all about productivity!

� Maximizing personalized learning

� Emergence of Free Agent Learners!

The era of the technology-enabled

Free Agent Learner

Key Characteristics:

– Self directed learning

– Un-tethered to traditional education

– Expert at personal data aggregation

– Power of connections

– Creating new networks of experts

– Experiential learning is key – make it real

– Develops content as a learning experience

– Process as important as knowledge gained

� Searches online for self-directed learning

� Finds podcasts/videos to learn about something

� Uses mobile apps to self organize

� Taps into Facebook for schoolwork help

� Takes online tests or assessments on their own

� Uses online writing tools to improve writing skills

Sample activities

� Searches online for self-directed learning

� Finds podcasts/videos to learn about something

� Uses mobile apps to self organize

� Taps into Facebook for schoolwork help

� Takes online tests or assessments on their own

� Uses online writing tools to improve writing skills

Sample activities

Say hello to the Free Agent Learner:

a typical middle school student

� National Speak Up Findings and reports

� Speak Up 2011 data: national release Apr 24

� Presentations, podcasts and webinars

� Evaluation services & reports

� Speak Up 2012!

More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org

Special Announcement

Speak Up for America’s Future Teachers

Special online surveys to collect and report on the views of

the next generation of K-12 teachers on the role of

technology within teaching and learning.

March 12 – May 11

Sign up to receive information and alerts

www.tomorrow.org

Thank you. Let’s continue this conversation.

Julie EvansProject Tomorrow

[email protected] x15

Twitter: JulieEvans_PT

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