Campus Technology 08 Shootout! Bracing for the Next-Gen Student Wave: Myth or Mandate? Next-Gen Students “Speak Up” – Are we listening? Julie Evans Project Tomorrow CEO July 31, 2008

An annual online process for collecting, analyzing and reporting on the authentic, unfiltered voices of today’s K-12 students, teachers, parents & administrators Questions: technology, science, 21 st century skills, careers Speak Up 2007: 367,000 surveys Since 2003: 1.2 million surveys What is Speak Up?

“Digital disconnect” is alive & well: the gap between how today’s students learn and how they live! Key findings from Speak Up 2007 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 Key findings from Speak Up 2007 data:

Let’s add some context:

Today’s 22 yr olds were in 2nd grade

Let’s add some context: Today’s 22 yr olds were in 2nd grade Today’s 12 yr olds were in 1 st grade

Which “student” are your systems set up to support? Today’s 22 yr olds were in 2nd grade Today’s 12 yr olds were in 1 st grade

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings The “Big 4” for today’s K-12 students Online and computer gaming –Over 64% of students K-12 play Download music –#1 with students in grades 6-12 Communications – , IM, Txt –Girls still lead in usage Maintain a personal website –40% of students grades 6-8 –67% of students grades 9-12

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings On the horizon – coming quickly to a tipping point! Virtual worlds –24% of students gr 3-5 participate regularly Over 1/3 of Massachusetts students Video creation/sharing –20% of high school students –50% in focus groups have posted a video Remixing content –21% of middle school students are doing this now

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings Using Mobile Devices for Learning

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings Filters block websites I need Teachers limit tech use Lots of rules –That limit use of my school’s technology –That prevent me from using my own tools such / IM / MySpace Obstacles to student tech use at school

How could your school make it easier for you to use technology? Top 5 student demands: 1.Let me use my own tools & devices 2.Give me unlimited Internet access 3.Let me access my projects anywhere 4.Provide me with communication tools 5.Give me access to the school network – even from home Speak Up 2007 Student Findings

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?

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings Students in Kindergarten thru 12 th grade say the same thing every year: “Give me a laptop for my personal use at school and at home” What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning?

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 2007 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 Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

But what is the #1 trend that should be on your horizon regarding these Next-Gen Students? Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

#1 Trend to watch for your future students: The era of the technology-enabled Free Agent Learner Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Self directed learning –Un-tethered to trad’l school –Expert at personal data aggregation Example: Online learning Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class?

Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Self directed learning –Un-tethered to trad’l school –Expert at personal data aggregation Example: Control over knowledge authenticity Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Power of connections –Creating new communities –Not tethered to physical networks Example: Mobile devices Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings Communications – teachers, classmates –Access personal websites Collaborations –Projects and calendars Creativity –Create/share documents Productivity –Research, downloads, ed games How students want to use mobile devices to support learning

Free Agent Learner Characteristics: –Experiential learning – make it real –Content developers –Process as important as knowledge gained (sometimes more important) Example: Gaming, simulations, animations, m/m content Speak Up 2007 Data Findings

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings 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

Speak Up 2007 Student Findings Easier to understand difficult concepts51% More engaged in learning material50% Would learn more46% More interesting to practice problems44% Go beyond & try new things37% See results of my problem solving35% Direct my own learning34% Student views – why include gaming in school?

What is the impact of this Free Agent Learner? What is the impact of the other emerging trends? What are the tough questions to ask today?

Content Culture Competition Control What are the tough questions to ask today?

Content –What is it today, what will define it tomorrow? Culture –To fit in to the existing or to create anew? Competition –What the new business models? Control –Who controls the learning process? What are the tough questions to ask today?

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