Students “Speak Up” about 21 st Century Learning and Education Games FETC Virtual Conference ‘09 April 23, 2009 Julie Evans Chief Executive Officer Project Tomorrow

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 and 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

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 and 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

To give stakeholders a voice in national and state policy To collect unique data from stakeholders Benchmark with national and state data To inform programs, policies and purchases High value of having an outside “unbiased guardian” collecting the data To support specific initiatives such as online learning, 1:1 programs or new teacher professional development programs To validate direction and approach – pre and post To build support To generate new ideas To model for students the value of being part of the national discussion – civic engagement To be recognized as innovative and part of a national initiative To demonstrate to students, teachers and parents that their ideas are valued by their education leaders Why do schools, districts, states participate?

To give stakeholders a voice in national and state policy

To collect unique data from stakeholders

Benchmark with national and state data

To inform programs, policies and purchases

High value of having an outside “unbiased guardian” collecting the data

To support specific initiatives such as online learning, 1:1 programs or new teacher professional development programs

To validate direction and approach – pre and post

To build support

To generate new ideas

To model for students the value of being part of the national discussion – civic engagement

To be recognized as innovative and part of a national initiative

To demonstrate to students, teachers and parents that their ideas are valued by their education leaders

Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay) Project Tomorrow is the nation’s leading education nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of student voices in education.

Speak Up is facilitated annually

by Project Tomorrow

(formerly known as NetDay)

We would like to recognize our Speak Up Sponsors:

And the support of our Speak Up National Champion Outreach Partners: + 75 other national education associations & nonprofit groups

Learning & Teaching with Technology Web 2.0 in Education 21st Century Skills Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness Emerging Technologies in the Classroom Mobile Devices Games within Instruction Online Learning Designing the 21st Century School Speak Up survey question themes

Learning & Teaching with Technology

Web 2.0 in Education

21st Century Skills

Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness

Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

Mobile Devices

Games within Instruction

Online Learning

Designing the 21st Century School

K-12 Students 281,500 Teachers 29,644 Parents (in English & Spanish) 21,309 School/District Administrators 3,114 Schools 4,379 Districts 868 States All 50 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 34% majority-minority student population National Speak Up 2008 Participation

K-12 Students 281,500

Teachers 29,644

Parents (in English & Spanish) 21,309

School/District Administrators 3,114

Schools 4,379

Districts 868

States All 50

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

34% majority-minority student population

Students, teachers, parents & administrators Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations Disconnects & Differences Trends & Leverage Points Key findings from Speak Up data:

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:

the gap between how

today’s students learn and

how they live!

“ 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 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

Parents, Teachers, Principals: What kind of tech user are you?

7% 22% 71% Audience Response: What % of students in 9th grade consider themselves “advanced tech users?”

7%

22%

71%

How tech-savvy are today’s students? 22% - Advanced

Gender: Girls are still less likely to view their tech skills as advanced – only 16% of 9 th grade girls chose “advanced”

Students: What do you do regularly with technology?

The “Big 4”: Online and computer gaming Download music Communications – email, IM, Txt Maintain a personal website Students: What do you do regularly with technology?

The “Big 4”:

Online and computer gaming

Download music

Communications – email, IM, Txt

Maintain a personal website

The “Big 4” Online and computer gaming Over 64% of students K-12 play Download music #1 with students in grades 6-12 Communications – email, IM, Txt Girls still lead in usage Maintain a personal website #1 usage - communications

The “Big 4”

Online and computer gaming

Over 64% of students K-12 play

Download music

#1 with students in grades 6-12

Communications – email, IM, Txt

Girls still lead in usage

Maintain a personal website

#1 usage - communications

On the horizon – coming quickly to a tipping point near you! Virtual worlds 38% of students gr 3-5 participate regularly (a 58% increase from 2007) Create/modify digital media 32% of students in gr 3-9 50% in focus groups have posted a video Writing collaboratively 19% of middle/high school students using these tools now

Virtual worlds

38% of students gr 3-5 participate regularly (a 58% increase from 2007)

Create/modify digital media

32% of students in gr 3-9

50% in focus groups have posted a video

Writing collaboratively

19% of middle/high school students using these tools now

Top responses (besides communications): Writing assignments (78%) Online research (75%) Access class/grade information (67%) Creating slideshows, videos, webpages (64%) Use MySpace to collaborate on a class project (46%) Students: What do you do regularly with technology – for schoolwork?

Top responses (besides communications):

Writing assignments (78%)

Online research (75%)

Access class/grade information (67%)

Creating slideshows, videos, webpages (64%)

Use MySpace to collaborate on a class project (46%)

Top responses (besides communications): 6. Play educational games: K-2 54% Gr 3-5 52% Gr 6-8 45% Gr 9-12 29% Students: What do you do regularly with technology – for schoolwork?

Top responses (besides communications):

6. Play educational games:

K-2 54%

Gr 3-5 52%

Gr 6-8 45%

Gr 9-12 29%

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

How satisfied are today’s 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 your school?

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

Top responses: 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 make it easier for students to work electronically?

Top responses:

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

Mobile devices Digital content Online learning Gaming Digital Disconnect: A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education

Mobile devices

Digital content

Online learning

Gaming

Students’ Access to Mobile Devices

Over 64% of students K-12 play regularly Average is 8 – 10 hours per week Using a wide variety of devices Gaming Technologies in Learning

Over 64% of students K-12 play regularly

Average is 8 – 10 hours per week

Using a wide variety of devices

Over 64% of students K-12 play Average is 8 – 10 hours per week Using a wide variety of devices Cell phones Computer games Console video players Handhelds Web-based: single or multi user Gaming Technologies in Learning

Over 64% of students K-12 play

Average is 8 – 10 hours per week

Using a wide variety of devices

Cell phones

Computer games

Console video players

Handhelds

Web-based: single or multi user

Cell phones Computer games Console video players Handhelds Web-based single user game Web-based multi-user game Audience Response: Girls are most likely to use which device for their gaming activities?

Cell phones

Computer games

Console video players

Handhelds

Web-based single user game

Web-based multi-user game

Cell phones Computer games Console video players Handhelds Web-based single user game Web-based multi-user game Girls are most likely to use which device for their gaming activities?

Cell phones

Computer games

Console video players

Handhelds

Web-based single user game

Web-based multi-user game

Gaming Technologies in Learning

Competition 49% Findings ways to be successful 46% Interactivity 44% Gets harder with more play 36% Customizing to my interests 35% Making my own decisions 34% Besides winning, what do you like most about playing games?

Competition 49%

Findings ways to be successful 46%

Interactivity 44%

Gets harder with more play 36%

Customizing to my interests 35%

Making my own decisions 34%

Easier to understand difficult concepts 51% More engaged in learning material 50% Would learn more 46% More interesting to practice problems 44% Student views – why include gaming in school?

Easier to understand difficult concepts 51%

More engaged in learning material 50%

Would learn more 46%

More interesting to practice problems 44%

Easier to understand difficult concepts 51% More engaged in learning material 50% Would learn more 46% More interesting to practice problems 44% Go beyond & try new things 37% See results of my problem solving 35% Direct my own learning 34% Student views – why include gaming in school?

Easier to understand difficult concepts 51%

More engaged in learning material 50%

Would learn more 46%

More interesting to practice problems 44%

Go beyond & try new things 37%

See results of my problem solving 35%

Direct my own learning 34%

Learn more about integration 51% Professional development 46% Learn about promising practices 29% Currently using gaming in my classroom 11% Sharing ideas with other teachers 7% Not interested 12% Teacher views – interest in educational gaming?

Learn more about integration 51%

Professional development 46%

Learn about promising practices 29%

Currently using gaming in my classroom 11%

Sharing ideas with other teachers 7%

Not interested 12%

Top responses: Appeals to different learning styles 65% Increases student engagement 65% Student centered learning 47% Students develop PS/CT skills 40% Students develop creativity 39% Gain experience thru trial/error 37% Visualize difficult concepts 35% Teacher views – value as an instructional tool?

Top responses:

Appeals to different learning styles 65%

Increases student engagement 65%

Student centered learning 47%

Students develop PS/CT skills 40%

Students develop creativity 39%

Gain experience thru trial/error 37%

Visualize difficult concepts 35%

What if you could design the ultimate school . . . . what technologies would have the greatest impact on your learning? Many districts are looking at this data to inform stimulus funding decisions

Digital media tools for creating projects Games and virtual simulations 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 students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning?

Digital media tools for creating projects

Games and virtual simulations

Personal laptops for each student

Student access to email and IM at school

Using mobile devices for learning

Online classes

Digital content

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:

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”

Students in Kindergarten thru 12 th grade say the same thing every year:

What if you could design the ultimate school?

And what if students could design their own games . . . what would they design?

And what if students could design their own games . . .

what would they design?

And what if students could design their own games . . . Speak Up asked that question!

And what if students could design

their own games . . .

Speak Up asked that question!

Speak Up: Students design their own games A sampling of student designed games: An online game where the students pick a job in science, math, history A game that would help students with money management and social skills A game about High School.. where you can make choices like those you make in high school, drugs, girls, skipping school A game where you create cities. Your city would then be confronted with physical, political, and environmental issues that we as a world face today. My game would be a video game in which you are a factory owner. As the owner, you would use math and other skills to produce the most products A game about issues that affect the world like World Hunger and Global Warming + 100,000 more like this

Speak Up: Students design their own games

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?

Is your school doing a good job preparing students for jobs of the future? Response: Yes Principals 56% Teachers 42%

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? Response: Yes Principals 56% Teachers 42% Parents 32% Students 39%

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

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 Speak Up Data Findings

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 Speak Up Data Findings

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? Speak Up Data Findings

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 Speak Up Data Findings

#1 Trend:

The era of the technology-enabled

Free Agent Learner

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

Student, Teacher, Parent & Administrator Data Findings – updated annually

National Data Release

March 24

Congressional Briefing

Washington DC

Top level findings available online

Reports such as: Learning in the 21 st Century: A National Report of Online Learning (Oct 2007, Updated Jun 2008) 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) More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org

Reports such as:

Learning in the 21 st Century: A National Report of

Online Learning (Oct 2007, Updated Jun 2008)

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)

“ Imagine you are the President and your #1 education goal is to make sure every student is prepared for the jobs and careers of the future. What is the one thing you would do to improve schools?” Special Speak Up 2008 Question

“ Imagine you are the President and your #1 education goal is to make sure every student is prepared for the jobs and careers of the future. What is the one thing you would do to improve schools?”

“ Imagine you are the President and your #1 education goal is to make sure every student is prepared for the jobs and careers of the future. What is the one thing you would do to improve schools?” Special Speak Up 2008 Question over 150,000 responses from students nationwide! See new Speak Up video with students’ comments

“ Imagine you are the President and your #1 education goal is to make sure every student is prepared for the jobs and careers of the future. What is the one thing you would do to improve schools?”

Get ready! Speak Up 2009 in October New online surveys for: K-12 Students Teachers Parents Administrators and Pre-Service Teachers (ssh – not announced yet!)

Get ready! Speak Up 2009 in October New online surveys for: K-12 Students Teachers Parents Administrators and Pre-Service Teachers (ssh – not announced yet!) More info to be released @ NECC 2009 New topics New reports Data back to you

If you have any questions about Speak Up, please contact: Julie Evans Project Tomorrow [email_address] 949-609-4660 x15 Copyright Project Tomorrow 2008. 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.