Learning and communicating in a digital world Lee Rainie – Director Youth Panel - Berkeley Conference March 29, 2003

The big picture 116 million U.S. adults use the Internet – –Stagnant (shrinking?) population – –57%-61% of all those million children use the Internet – –Growing and enthusiastic population – –78% of teenagers use the Internet – –86% of college students use the Internet

Surf for fun Play games Instant message Health info News Pursue hobbies Listen to music Chat rooms Download music Sports news My team’s sites Auction/trading Buy products My own site Sensitive topics Research products What teenagers do online – 1

What teenagers do online - 2 Homework Major research projects / IM teachers Download study aids Access class Web sites Create class Web page

Students’ Internet metaphors The Internet as virtual textbook and reference library The Internet as virtual tutor and study shortcut The Internet as virtual study group The Internet as virtual guidance counselor The Internet as virtual locker, backpack and notebook

Student laments Assignments don’t take advantage of the Internet Classroom work hardly ever exploits the Internet

The Industrial Age education model the clueless, teacher-dependent pupil

The Information Age education model the net-savvy, well-connected, teacher-independent end-user

NET-SAVVYSTUDENT my reference materials and texts materials and texts my search engine my personal network my teachers and tutors my favorite research sites my classmates my online study aids my online tutors qualityware & communityware Underlying world view, Information Age education