K-12 Bridge Symposium: Speak Up

Students, Teachers & Parents
“Speak Up” about Education,
Technology & 21st
Century Learning
– Are we listening?
2007 K-12 Bridge Symposium
DePauw University
May 31, 2007
Julie Evans

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 up
2. Wave your hand
3. Show us your cell phone
4. 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.

(c) Project Tomorrow 2007
Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents
• Annual national research project
– Online surveys
– Open for all K-12 schools
– Schools/districts get their own data for planning and budgeting
• Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations
– Students, Teachers, Parents and . . . . (what’s new for 2007?)
• Inform policies & programs
– Analysis and reporting
– Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way!
• Since 2003:
– 795,000 K-12 students
– 48,000 teachers
– 15,000 parents
– 10,000 schools – all 50 states, DC + DOD schools

Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
National initiative of Project Tomorrow, a national
education nonprofit organization
Our programs and initiatives:
Science Docent Program
Regional Innovation Initiative with high tech
industry
Student Voices Resource Center
NSF National Science Digital Library “Project
TestDrive”
Speak Up National Research Project

2006 Sponsors & Partners
Advanced Network & Services, Inc.
And 100+ national and regional nonprofit partners

Participation Overview:
232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents
Students: Elementary (pre K-Gr 5) – 43%
Middle School (Gr 6-8) – 35%
High School (Gr 9-12) – 21%
50% Girls – 50% Boys
Teachers: 80% - Classroom assignment
36% - 4 to 15 years experience
42% - have Masters’ Degree
Parents: 29% member of a PTA/PTO/Booster Club
13% volunteer regularly @ school

232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents
Students: Elementary (pre K-Gr 5) – 43%
Middle School (Gr 6-8) – 35%
High School (Gr 9-12) – 21%
50% Girls – 50% Boys
Teachers: 80% - Classroom assignment
36% - 4 to 15 years experience
42% - have Masters’ Degree
Parents: 29% member of a PTA/PTO/Booster Club
13% volunteer regularly @ school
Indiana:
1031 Students
100 Teachers
50 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

• This year’s survey question themes:
Learning & Teaching with Technology
21st
Century Skills
Communications, Connections & Self-Expression
Math & Science Instruction
Global Collaborations
Competitiveness & Workforce Preparedness
Designing Schools of the Future
What can we learn from today’s learners –
and their parents and teachers?

Let’s talk about . . .
Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations
Disconnects & Differences
Trends to Watch

Preliminary key findings from the student data:
• Communications is #1
• Online connected-ness creating new “friends”
• Online safety & privacy are not top student concerns
• Students say: “Make science & math relevant!”
• Youngest learners are very tech sophisticated
• Continued disconnect between students & adults

Technology Devices & Tools – besides computers
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Cell Phones MP3 Game Players
K-2
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-12

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

Using Technology for Schoolwork
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%

Using Technology for Schoolwork – Online learning
35% of students Gr 6-12 interested in taking an
online class
Why?
1. To get extra help in a subject area
2. To take a class not offered
3. To work at one’s own pace
4. To get college credit – AP class
5. 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 talking
Favorite: 36% of students Grades 6-12
Daily use: 73% Gr 9-12
57% 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:

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

students?
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

Value of Good Tech Skills : Top responses
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Get a job College
success
World
awareness
Do well in
school
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-8
Gr 9-12

Math & Science in K-12 schools:
how today’s students want to learn
•Apply math/science to solve real world problems
•Visit places where science happens
•Multimedia and interactive simulations
•Use equipment and tools
•Solve math puzzles
•Talk to scientists and mathematicians
•Learn math/science that will help me with a job
•All kinds of technology

Math & Science in K-12 schools:
how today’s students want to learn
•Apply math/science to solve real world problems
•Visit places where science happens
•Multimedia and interactive simulations
•Use equipment and tools
•Solve math puzzles
•Talk to scientists and mathematicians
•Learn math/science that will help me with a job
•All kinds of technology
Add relevance to the rigor!

Schools Today : Obstacles to Using Technology
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

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

What do teachers believe about the value of technology for
teaching and learning?
TOP vote getters:
• Access to more accurate information – 64%
• Richer lesson plans – 53%
• Better able to engage students – 52%
• Meet varying needs of students – 48%
• Better able to assess student progress – 35%

What do teachers believe about the value of technology for
teaching and learning?
BOTTOM vote getters:
• More time to reflect on teaching practice – 8%
• I feel less isolated – 19%
• Use textbooks and other printed materials less – 21%
• Communicate more with students about progress – 21%

What obstacles do you face in using technology?
Time?
Technology?
Access?
What are your obstacles?

What obstacles to you face in using technology?
Lack of time in the school day – 51%
Not enough computers – 39%
Lack of time for planning – 39%
Not all students/families have computers @ home – 39%
Computers that don’t always work – 37%

What professional tasks are teachers doing with
technology on a weekly basis?
TOP vote getters:
• Word processing – 77%
• Record keeping (grades, attendance) – 68%
• Research & prepare lessons – 63%
• Access teaching materials online – 58%
• Access to more accurate information – 52%

What professional tasks are teachers doing with
technology on a weekly basis?
BOTTOM vote getters:
• Contribute to a blog or create a podcast – 3%
• Research family or social services – 11%
• Use a school content portal – 11%
• Seek peer-to-peer advice outside of school – 12%
• Participate in online professional development – 17%

Big Question:
“Has technology enhanced student
performance & achievement?”

Big Question:
“Has technology enhanced student
performance & achievement?”
75% say YES
It’s all about student engagement in learning

Desired features for using online resources in the
classroom:
• List of good websites for my subject area
• Collection of lesson plans by subject area
• Collection of streaming videos to support my
lessons
• Interactive simulations to support my lessons
• A compilation of research links related to
specific content areas

Criteria for evaluating online resources for the classroom:
• Grade level appropriateness
• Accurate subject matter
• Content is free
• Easy to search and find resources
• Aligned to standards
92% said they are involved with selecting
online content for their own classroom

How have you used online resources –
within the past 12 months . . .
Teachers' Use of Online Resources
41%
46%38%
5%
28%
14%
Used lesson plan
Modified lesson plan
Used ideas for own lesson plan
Posted lesson plan
Updated lesson plan
None of the above

Professional development
Has the in service training through your school/district
adequately prepared you for using technology for
teaching?
Very much – 28%
Somewhat – 54%
Not at all – 10%
82% are satisfied
with in-service
trainings

Professional Development - preferred method:
School or district provided trainings – 28%
Peer to peer or study teams – 20%
Taken an online class for pd? Yes: 46%
Interested in an online pd class? Yes: 7%
What areas do you want more training?
More training please Your responses
Integrating
technology into
content curriculum
Productivity tools
Instructional tools

Professional Development - preferred method:
School or district provided trainings – 28%
Peer to peer or study teams – 20%
Taken an online class for pd? Yes: 46%
Interested in an online pd class? Yes: 7%
What areas do you want more training?
More training please 2006
Integrating
technology into
content curriculum
41%
Productivity tools 31%
Instructional tools 30%

Teaching science & math – most effective strategies
Math:
• Apply to real world situations – 46%
• Solve problems & be creative – 36%
• Practice skills with textbook problems – 30%
Science:
• Solve real world problems – 38%
• Support inquiry-based investigations – 38%
• Use equipment – 32%

Teaching science & math – most effective strategies
Math:
• Apply to real world situations – 46%
• Solve problems & be creative – 36%
• Practice skills with textbook problems – 30%
Science:
• Solve real world problems – 38%
• Support inquiry-based investigations – 38%
• Use equipment – 32%
Challenge to teaching science?
Not enough instructional time

And what if teachers were designing a
new school of the future . . .
Your top priorities would be:
1. _______
2. _______
3. _______
4. _______
5. _______

And what if teachers were designing a new school of the
future . . .
Top priorities for teachers
1. Interactive white boards
2. Wireless laptops for students to use at
school
3. Ways to communicate with parents
4. Ways to use email, IM, blogs with students
& parents
5. Digital cameras and video facilities and
equipment

Key findings from the parent data:
• Satisfaction with school technology? Mixed results.
• Want school info “pushed” out via email
• Online safety & privacy top 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 schools are doing good job preparing
kids for 21st
century

Technology at my child’s school?
Satisfied . . .
• Amount of technology available to students
• Internet safety and privacy of personal information

Satisfied . . .
• Amount of technology available to students
• Internet safety and privacy of personal information
Dissatisfied . . .
• Priority placed on tech use
• Technology integration into subject areas
• Amount of time spent using technology

What if you were on a tech committee, what would be a
good investment to improve student achievement?
1. Computers in classrooms – 61%
2. Software to support academics – 60%
3. A useful school website – 60%
4. Advanced computer classes – 55%
5. Tools to help parents and teachers
communicate – 51%

How do you want to hear from your child’s
school?
School Communications Tools
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Parents
Flyers/Newsletters
Website postings
Emails to home
Emails to work
Phone calls
School portal
Teacher's blog
Info mailed home

Math, Science, Global Competition
• 55% say good understanding of math &
science important for all students
• Concerns for child’s future
– Not being able to afford a home (21%)
– Having to compete with better educated
global workers (37%)
– Getting into a good college (44%)

From the parent & teacher data . . .
How well is your school doing in
preparing your children/students to
compete for the jobs and careers of the
21st century?
Response “Yes”
Parents – 48%
Teachers – 47%

From the parent & teacher data . . .
How well is your school doing in
preparing your children/students to
compete for the jobs and careers of the
21st century?
Response “Yes”
Parents – 48%
Teachers – 47%
Over 50% of
parents and
teachers believe
their schools
are not
doing a good job.

Disconnect: Communications via email
Students:
• Email weekly – 77%
• Email or IM teacher – 25%

Students:
Parents:
• Want emails from teachers

Students:
Parents:
• Want emails from teachers
Teachers:
• Email with parents – 64%
• Email with students – 28%

Disconnect: Communications & cell phones
Students should be allowed to bring cell phones to
school for emergencies and to connect with
parents
Students: 82% - grades 6-12
Parents: 77%
Teachers: 56%

Disconnect: Concerns about Online Use
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

2006 open-ended questions
Students:
• Ideas for global collaboration
• Examples of engaging math and/or science
lessons or activities
Teachers:
• Ideas for how your school can better prepare
students to compete for jobs and be a good global
citizen
• Most important impact of technology on your
teaching practice
Parents:
• Ideas for how your school can better prepare
students to compete for jobs and be a good global
citizen

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, teacher & parent ideas
into planning and investments

Speak Up News
Briefings & Conferences including podcast of the
Congressional Briefing
Speak Up 100 List of Schools
National Report – released in July
Customized reports for schools, districts, state agencies,
other groups and companies
Special Focus Reports – sampling of topics:
– 21st
century skills
– Online learning
– Global collaborations
– Communications, social networking & self-expression

Speak Up News
Speak Up 2007:
Open to all schools and districts to participate
Register your school in July
Survey open October 1 – November 15
Aggregated quantitative data back to schools in January
Use data for: tech planning, priority setting, budgeting,
teacher training, community engagement

Speak Up 2007 – What’s new?
• New themes and questions

• Parent Survey in Spanish

• Speak Up for School Leaders
• Principals
• Administrators
• School Board Members

• Speak Up for School Leaders
• Principals
• Administrators
• School Board Members
Be part of our Speak Up team!

Julie Evans
Chief Executive Officer
949-609-4660
jevans@tomorrow.org
Students, Teachers & Parents
“Speak Up” about Education, Technology
& 21st Century Learning
Are we listening?
And . . . how are we responding?

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.

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