Coming Soon to Campus: The New "Free Agent" Learner

(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


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?


“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


• 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


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.


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


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


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


Research about K-12 Students & Technology Use

Speak Up 2008Selected Data Findings


Speak Up 2008 Data Findings

Who am I?

Warm Up Exercise


Who am I?

Self – Assessment of Tech Skills (Advanced, Average, Beginner)

Role

Gender


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%)


Audience Response: Who am I?

A. Advanced Tech User

B. Average Tech User

C. Beginner Tech User



A. Kindergarten student

B. Student - Grade 3

C. Student - Grade 7

D. Student - Grade 10

E. College Freshman

F. Teacher

G. School Principal



A. Girl/Female

B. Boy/Male




Who am I? 3rd Grade Girl – Average Tech Skills


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%)


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



Case Study: Use of technology for communications



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



So, what are the next

emerging technologies to be

paced

by 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


Students, teachers, parents &

administrators

Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations

Disconnects & Differences

Trends & Leverage Points



“Digital disconnect” is alive &

well:

the gap between how

today’s students learn

and

how they live!

Key findings from Speak Up data:


“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



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


a. 7%

b. 22%

c. 71%

Audience Response: What % of students in 9th grade consider themselves “advanced tech users?”


Students: Tech Self Assessment

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

3rd

6th

9th

12th

Beginner

Average

Advanced

Digital Disconnect – in perceptions

22% - Advanced


“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



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



K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Classroom InternetConnectivity



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?


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


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


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?”


Let’s think about your future students:

Class of 2015 – incoming to 11th grade



How digitally native are these students?

What are their expectations for learning?


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


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?


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?


How satisfied are today’s

K-12 students with technology use at

their school?


How satisfied are today’s K-12 students with technology use at their school?

Students say:

Not very!


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


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


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


1. The mobile learner– Cell phones– Laptops– MP3 players– Smartphones & PDAs



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


• 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


2. It’s a Web 2.0 World



How are students using Web 2.0 tools?

Communications

Creation

Collaboration

Contribution



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


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


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%


3. “I’ll take that class to go!”

• Online learning



Students: Have you taken or researched an online class?

20% of high school students

26% of middle school students


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


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%


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?


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


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%)


4. The ultimate online textbook

What if . . . . students designed

a new kind of textbook?



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


- 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:


5. Exploring STEM careers



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


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


Is your school doing a good job

preparing students for jobs of the future?


Is your school doing a good job preparing students for jobs of the future?

Who said yes?

Principals 56%

Teachers 42%


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%


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


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?


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?


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”


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


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



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



But what is the #1 trend we are

watching with today’s K-12

students?



#1 Trend:

The era of the technology-

enabled

Free Agent Learner



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



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



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



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?


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?


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%)


Recommendations from the“Digital Advance Team”

Are we listening?



Are we listening?

• Un-tether learning• New learning spaces• Social based learning• Digital resources add relevancy• Go beyond classroom walls



Are we listening? Are we ready?

Learning that is

• Enabled• Engaging• Empowered



Are we listening? Are we ready?

Learning that is

• Enabled• Engaging• Empowered

How do we get there?


The Future Voice of Education?

It is here today . . .


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)


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:

http://www.tomorrow.org/


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


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


More data and reports are available on

our website: www.tomorrow.org

Julie EvansProject Tomorrow

[email protected] x15

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