NAFIS 2018 Keynote Address: Top 10 Things Everyone Should Know About Today’s Students and Digital Technology – NAFIS (March 2018)

1. Findings from Speak Up 2017
Top 10 Things Everyone Should Know About
Today’s Students and Digital Technology
Dr. Julie A. Evans
CEO, Project Tomorrow
March 18, 2018

2. Today’s discussion topics
▪ Listening to the authentic voices of students
o Ten things everyone should know
o Research findings from the 2017 Speak Up Project
o Is this really just about using technology within
instruction?
▪ Project Tomorrow resources to support your work
▪ Your questions, comments and thoughts

3. Tweet with us!
@JulieEvans_PT @SpeakUpEd @NAFISSchools

4. About Project Tomorrow (www.tomorrow.org)
▪ Nonprofit education organization supporting K-12 education since 1996
▪ Mission is to ensure all of today’s students are well prepared for the future
▪ Programs and research focus on role of digital tools within the education
ecosystem – believe in power of STEAM to support student preparation for
college and career success
o Speak Up Research Project on Digital Learning: collecting & reporting
on the authentic feedback of K-12 stakeholders to inform federal, state
& local programs and policies

5. About the Speak Up Project (www.tomorrow.org/speakup)
▪ Annual research project since 2003
▪ Uses online surveys + focus groups
▪ Facilitated 100% through schools and districts
▪ We design online surveys to collect feedback from
your K-12 Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators,
and Community Members
▪ All K-12 schools – public, private, parochial, charter,
virtual - are eligible to participate
▪ Project Tomorrow manages all data collection and
reporting for you - 100% free service
▪ Schools get summary report with all locally collected
data + state and national data for benchmarks
We share national data with federal, state and local policymakers to inform programs and funding

6. About the Speak Up Project (www.tomorrow.org/speakup)
Survey question topics include:
✓ Use of technology to support learning
✓ School climate for innovation
✓ College and career ready skill development/interest
✓ Leadership challenges
✓ Teachers’ needs for professional learning
✓ How do different stakeholders value digital learning
✓ Emerging trends w/digital tools, content and resources
✓ New classroom models: mobile, blended, flipped
✓ School to home communications
✓ Designing the ultimate school
❖ Activities
❖ Attitudes
❖ Aspirations
Since 2003, 5.4 million K-12 stakeholders have
submitted a Speak Up survey

7. Big picture trends from our research …
• Greater emphasis on students’ global skill preparation
• Value of personalized learning on the rise
• Interest and acceptance of new learning models
• Increasing criticality for Internet connectivity – at school and at home
• Learning is a 24/7 enterprise for students
• New expectations from parents – digital aspirations esp. for communications
• Strong desire to understand real outcomes from digital learning
• Digital learning is a metaphor today for education transformation

8. Let’s play a game!

9. Let’s play a game!
STUDENTS’
DIGITAL
LIVES

10. o I have my own tablet at home (54%) but use a Chromebook at school (53%)
o #1 complaint about school technology? I want to use my own mobile device!
o 4 of 10 use a mobile device to read online books
o I’m interested in a job in a STEM field (45%)
o 51% would like to learn how to code
o Believes that playing digital math games would improve math skills (43%)
o I collaborate more with classmates because of technology (44%)
STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES

11. STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES
Who is this?
❑ 3rd grade girl
❑ 6th grade boy
❑ 9th grade girl
❑ 12th grade boy

12. STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES
Who is this?
❑ 3rd grade girl

13. o I have my own tablet at home (54%) but use a Chromebook at school (53%)
o #1 complaint about school technology? I want to use my own mobile device!
o 4 of 10 use a mobile device to read online books
o I’m interested in a job in a STEM field (45%)
o 51% would like to learn how to code
o Believes that playing digital math games would improve math skills (43%)
o I collaborate more with classmates because of technology (44%)
STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES

14. @Project Tomorrow 2017

15. What do you see?
Are we seeing the same
thing?
What do our students
see?

16. “Without data, you are
just another person with
an opinion …”

17. Top 10
Countdown
Top 10 Things Everyone Should Know About
Today’s Students and Digital Technology
Findings from Speak Up 2017

18. Survey Audience # of Surveys Submitted
K-12 Students 340,927
Teachers & Librarians 34,833
Parents 23,159
Administrators 3,249
Community Members 4,611
About schools and districts: 3,641 districts, 10,619 schools
29% urban, 34% rural, 37% suburban, 68% title 1 eligible
National participation in Speak Up 2017: 406,779

19. Top 10 Countdown: About the data
1. National findings from K-12 students (340,927)
2. Longitudinal data findings from previous Speak Up surveys
3. Disaggregated findings – comparative data based upon community type
(urban, suburban, rural), grade level, tech skills assessment and gender
4. Findings from NAFIS schools that participated (29,069 K-12 students)
5. Analysis grounded by 25-30 focus groups with students nationwide and
the evaluation and efficacy studies that we do with schools and districts

20. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Student outcomes from
using technology

21. @Project Tomorrow 2017
How does the use of technology impact student learning?
Increased
engagement in
learning?
Obvious answer, right?

22. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Students say these are the impacts of using technology within learning:
Better outcomes
▪ Better grades and test scores: 54% of Gr 6-8 students
▪ Collaborating more with other students: 44%
Skill development
▪ Developing creativity skills: 50%
Personalized learning environment
▪ I’m learning at my own pace: 53%
▪ I’m in control of my learning: 46%
▪ I understand what I am learning in class better: 45%
▪ This fits my learning style: 43%
Note: only 39%
of students report
increased
engagement
as the biggest
impact

23. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Student use of technology at school – what bugs them?

24. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Students’ report on the obstacles they face using tech for learning at school
Top Obstacles Gr 9-12
students
Gr 9-12
students
(Urban)
Gr 9-12
students
(Suburban)
Gr 9-12
students
(Rural)
Internet is too slow 54% 56% 58% 52%
School blocks websites I
need for schoolwork
44% 40% 43% 46%
Teachers limit our tech use 43% 40% 46% 42%
Too many rules! 41% 39% 41% 43%
Can’t use my mobile
device or social media
37% 35% 36% 40%

25. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Students’ report on the obstacles they face using tech for learning at school
No change in 6 years
In 2011, 50% said this
Obstacles Gr 9-12
students
Internet is too slow 54%
School blocks websites I
need for schoolwork
44%
Teachers limit our tech use 43%
Too many rules! 41%
Can’t use my mobile
device or social media
37%

26. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Learning on the go –
anytime, anywhere

27. @Project Tomorrow 2017
What devices do you have personally (not school provided)?
35%
50%
79%
91%
53%
57% 55%
39%
32% 35%
48%
54%
10%
15% 14% 13%15% 12%
K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12
Smartphone Tablet Laptop Digital Reader Smartwatch

28. @Project Tomorrow 2017
1:1 student assigned devices to use in school – laptops, tablets, Chromebooks
K-2: 30%
Gr 3-5: 27%
Gr 6-8: 35%
Gr 9-12: 34%
K-2: 46%
Gr 3-5: 21%
Gr 6-8: 16%
Gr 9-12: 7%
K-2: 37%
Gr 3-5: 57%
Gr 6-8: 52%
Gr 9-12: 45%
What devices do you use at school?
59% students in Gr 9-12 say they use their own mobile device at school

29. @Project Tomorrow 2017
How are students using mobile devices for learning?
Teacher-directed activities:
➢ Do Internet research
➢ Play education games
➢ Take online tests
➢ Creating docs to share
➢ Work on projects w/classmates
➢ Read online articles
➢ Use online textbooks
Student self-directed activities:
✓ Check grades
✓ Look up class info
✓ Using online dictionary
✓ Email teacher w/questions
✓ Take notes
✓ Receive reminders re tests, projects
✓ Watch videos to support learning

30. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Fully online classes – sign me up!

31. Let’s play again!

32. Let’s play again – same category!
STUDENTS’
DIGITAL
LIVES

33. #1 subject that middle
school students in NAFIS
schools say they wish
they could take as a
fully online class
STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES

34. Which subject?
STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES
1.Science
2.Social Studies/History
3.Math
4.World Language
5.English

35. Which subject?
STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES
#1 response from
your Gr 6-8 students:
Science

36. STUDENTS’ DIGITAL LIVES
What subject
would you like to
take as a fully
online class?
NAFIS school students – Gr 6-8 – their wish list:
1. Science (51%)
2. Math (50%)
3. World Language (36%)
4. Social Studies/History (35%)
5. English (33%)

37. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Pixel vs paper –
reading preferences

38. @Project Tomorrow 2017
What is your preference for reading a book or article?
Using a printed document or hard copy book
OR
Accessing a digital/online document or book
through a device or computer

39. @Project Tomorrow 2017
A pixel preference for reading:
Who says they would prefer to read digitally?
66%
52%
31%
24%
K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12

40. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Social media – connecting, collaborating, learning

41. @Project Tomorrow 2017
What social media tools are high school students using?
Selected tools Rarely/never use Use all the time
Girls Boys Girls Boys
Facebook 54% 61% 18% 13%
Instagram 18% 29% 47% 34%
Snapchat 15% 26% 61% 44%
Twitter 60% 65% 17% 12%
YouTube 10% 7% 48% 59%

42. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Influence of social media and online interactions
“I have stronger personal relationships because of my use of social media”
42% of high school girls 35% of high school boys
“I worry that I sometimes spend too much time online with my social media”
31% of high school girls 18% of high school boys
“I know how to detect bias or opinions in the information I read online”
43% of high school girls 41% of high school boys
“I know how to evaluate the accuracy of information I find online”
38% of high school girls 38% of high school boys

43. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Digital citizenry development in school

44. @Project Tomorrow 2017
What types of digital citizenship are you
learning in school?
Highest ranked types:
✓ How to be safe online
✓ How to use technology appropriately for learning purposes
✓ What are appropriate online behaviors
Lowest ranked types:
✓ Ethical/lawful use of technology
✓ Digital equity considerations
✓ How to be an effective consumer in an online society
✓ Appreciating the digital rights of others
Students report on what they are explicitly learning in school
NAFIS schools:
65% of students
say they are
learning how to
be safe online
Only 28% say
they are
learning about
the ethics of
tech usage

45. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Who has the biggest influence on what students learn about digital citizenship?
Biggest influencer Gr 6-8 Students say: Gr 9-12 Students say:
Parent 58% 50%
Teacher 53% 38%
Self 35% 44%

46. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Who has the biggest influence on what students learn about digital citizenship?
Biggest influencer Gr 6-8 Students say: Gr 9-12 Students say:
Parent 58% 50%
Teacher 53% 38%
Self 35% 44%
Note: Who should have the biggest influence?
✓ 88% of school principals say “the classroom teacher”
✓ 88% of parents say “the parents”

47. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Who has the biggest influence on what students learn about digital citizenship?
Biggest influencer Gr 6-8 Students say: Gr 9-12 Students say:
Parent 58% 50%
Teacher 53% 38%
Self 35% 44%
56% of high school students say they know how to be safe online
But their confidence depends upon their assessment of their tech skills
▪ Techies – 62% say they know how to be safe when online
▪ Tech Beginners – only 39% say the same

48. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Interest in STEAM careers and coding

49. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Who says they are “very interested” in a STEAM career for their future?
26%
22%
17%
37%
24%
31%
42%
45%
19%
29%
31%
13%
10%
27%
16%
27%
33%
39%
17%
21%
Science Technology Engineering Arts Math
Gr 6-8 Girls Gr 6-8 Boys Gr 9-12 Girls Gr 9-12 Boys

50. @Project Tomorrow 2017
Who wants to learn how to code?
60% of girls in grades 6-8 and 50% of girls in grades 9-12 say they are interested in
learning how to code
• But their level of interest is still less than their male peers
• And that level of interest is half as intense as their male peers
Gr 6-8 Girls Gr 6-8 Boys Gr 9-12 Girls Gr 9-12 Boys
Very
interested
18% 31% 13% 25%
Somewhat
interested
42% 38% 37% 40%
Total interest 60% 69% 50% 65%

51. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Career preparation:
Goodbye, summer camp! Hello, online video!

52. @Project Tomorrow 2017
How do students want
to learn about future
careers?
Declining interest in ….
After school programs (33%)
Going to summer camp (31%)
Taking a CTE class (29%)
Participating in competitions (27%)
Working w/mentors (26%)

53. @Project Tomorrow 2017
How do students want
to learn about future
careers?
Declining interest in ….
After school programs (33%)
Going to summer camp (31%)
Taking a CTE class (29%)
Participating in competitions (27%)
Working w/mentors (26%)
Rising interest in ….
Through work experience (66%)
Field trips to companies (48%)
Career pros as teachers (46%)
Playing an online game (38%)
Teachers w/industry experience (37%)
Watching a video about jobs (36%)
Taking an online quiz re: abilities (34%)
Taking an online class (33%)
Follow experts on social media (31%)

54. @Project Tomorrow 2017
o Using technology purposely
o Creating, making, inventing
o In a real world setting – not a
hypothetical environment
o Tapping into digital tools and media
o Through self-directed and personalized
learning that is honored by educators
How do students want to become prepared for the world of work?

55. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
Technology x learning = my future

56. @Project Tomorrow 2017
NAFIS HS students like learning!
I like learning about new ideas –
63%
I like learning how to do things –
72%
I like learning how to build or
make things – 51%
Learning how to use technology
is an important skill for my
future – 48%

57. @Project Tomorrow 2017
NAFIS HS students like learning!
I like learning about new ideas – 63%
I like learning how to do things – 72%
I like learning how to build or make
things – 51%
Learning how to use technology is an
important skill for my future – 48%
I use technology more outside of school for
learning than in school – 61% of your students

58. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
The students’ vision for learning:
▪ Socially-based
▪ Un-tethered
▪ Digitally-rich

59. Speak Up 2017 Research Findings: What everyone should know about …
To understand new ways to
improve school and academic
outcomes for our students,
we need to make sure that we are
always “seeing the learning
experience” through the right lens,
the lens of our learners

60. More resources available at www.tomorrow.org
National Speak Up reports and infographics
Targeted and thematic reports
Digital learning trends
Community engagement
Mobile learning
Games in the classroom
Blended learning outcomes
Presentations, podcasts and webinars
Services: consulting, workshops, evaluation and efficacy studies
✓ We have expertise in the evaluation of mobile implementations, new
classroom models and digital content usage
New Speak Up 2017 reports to be released in Spring 2018

61. Plan now for your district to participate in Speak Up 2018
Online surveys for:
o K-12 students – individual + group
o Parents – English and Spanish
o Teachers
o Librarians/Media Specialists
o School Site & District Administrators
o Technology Leaders
o Community Members &
Communications Officers
Surveys open Oct 2018 – Jan 2019
Learn more www.tomorrow.org/speakup
100% free service to all schools and districts – including reports with comparison data

62. Your questions,
comments,
thoughts

63. Findings from Speak Up 2017
Dr. Julie A. Evans
CEO, Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org
@JulieEvans_PT
Thank you for inviting me today!
Top 10 Things Everyone Should Know About
Today’s Students and Digital Technology