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

Coming Soon to Campus: The New “Free Agent” Learner Are You Ready? Julie Evans Project Tomorrow CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY 09 Boston, Massachusetts July 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) Nicholson Director 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 Students Teachers Parents Administrators Pre-Service Teachers All institutions get a free report with complete data No fee to participate No 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

Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, AL, IL, MD, FL, NC, NE, WI

A bout 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

21 st 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 2008 Selected 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?

Advanced Tech User

Average Tech User

Beginner Tech User

Kindergarten student

Student - Grade 3

Student - Grade 7

Student - Grade 10

College Freshman

Teacher

School Principal

Girl/Female

Boy/Male

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

Meet a 3 rd 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

Introducing the “Digital Advance Team” Case Study: Use of technology for communications

Students use tools for personal communications

Students expand use to schoolwork

Teachers adopt for adult communications

Some teachers now using for student feedback

Students’ use waning

Introducing the “Digital Advance Team” So, what are the next emerging technologies to be paced by the “Digital Advance Team?”

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

Students, teachers, parents &

administrators

Activities,

Attitudes & Aspirations

Disconnects & Differences

Trends & Leverage Points

Speak Up 2008 Data Findings

“ Digital disconnect” is alive & well:

the gap between how

today’s students learn and

how they live!

Key findings from Speak Up data:

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?

Beginner

Average

Advanced

7%

22%

71%

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

Digital Disconnect – in perceptions 22% - Advanced

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:

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?

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 seniors 10th grade in high school Class of 2011 – your current 3rd year students 8th grade in middle school Class of 2013 – your current incoming freshman 6th grade in middle school

What grade where they in . . . when we reached 90% Internet access in K12 classrooms? Class of 2009 – just graduated seniors 10th grade in high school Class of 2011 – your current 3rd year students 8th grade in middle school Class of 2013 – your current incoming freshman 6th grade in middle school Are they really “digital natives?”

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?

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 grade Kindergarten

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 grade Kindergarten Are you ready for these students and their expectations for you?

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!

Top responses:

School filters and firewalls block websites I need

Teachers limit our technology use

Too many rules!

Cannot use my own devices

Cannot access my communications tools

Rules that limit use of my school’s technology

Besides time, what are the major obstacles students face using technology at school?

Students say:

Let me use my own laptop, cell phone or mobile device

Give me unlimited Internet access

Let me access my school projects from any computer – home or at school

How schools could make it easier for students to work electronically?

The mobile learner

It’s a Web 2.0 World

“ I’ll take that class to go!”

The ultimate online textbook

Exploring STEM careers

Digital Advance Team Trends

The mobile learner

Cell phones

Laptops

MP3 players

Smartphones & PDAs

The Mobile Learner

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

It’s a Web 2.0 World

How are students using Web 2.0 tools?

Communications

Creation

Collaboration

Contribution

Web 2.0 Applications

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%

“ 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%

Earn college credit

Work at my own pace

Take class not offered

Complete school requirement

Get extra help in a subject

To fit schedule

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?

Puts me in control of my learning (47%)

Easier to review class materials (38%)

Easier for me to succeed (32%)

More comfortable asking questions (29%)

More motivated to learn (27%)

How would online classes make school more interesting for students ?

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:

Exploring STEM careers

Students: Exploring STEM Careers

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

Students: Exploring STEM careers What would increase your interest?

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

Games and virtual simulations

Interactive whiteboards

Personal laptops for each student

Student access to email and IM at school

Using mobile devices for learning

Online classes

Digital content

Audience Response: What do K-12 students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning?

Students in Kindergarten thru 12 th 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 12 th 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?

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/applications

Social 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 environments

Web 2.0 / Multimedia content

Career 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:

Content

What is content today?

What will define it tomorrow?

Culture

How will these “Free Agents” fit into our existing culture

or is a new culture required/preferred?

Competition

Do we need new “business models?”

Control

Who 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?

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

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. (11 th grader, Pittsburgh PA)

Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators Students, Teachers and Parents Speak Up about Science Education (June 2008)

Leadership in the 21 st Century:

The New Visionary Administrator

(October 2008)

Learning in the 21 st Century:

Online Learning

(October 2007) Trends Updates: 2008 and 2009

More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org Reports such as:

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 Students Teachers Parents Administrators Pre-Service Teachers All institutions get a free report with complete data No fee to participate No limit on # of surveys

More data and reports are available on our website: www.tomorrow.org Julie Evans Project Tomorrow [email_address] 949-609-4660 x15 Copyright Project Tomorrow 2009. 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. Thank you!