Voices of Experience: Top Ten Tips for Online Learning Environments NECC 2008 Julie Evans & Shana Glenzer July 1, 2008

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Our discussion today: Review new Speak Up data findings Gain new insights from our expert panel Stimulate new conversations Create our Top Ten Tips list Engage your participation in Speak Up 08

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 What is Speak Up? Annual national research project –Online surveys and focus groups –Open for all K-12 schools –Schools/districts get their own data for planning and budgeting Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations –Students, Teachers, Parents and School Leaders Inform policies & programs –Analysis and reporting – national reports –Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way! 5 years of empowering authentic voices – since 2003: –1.1 million K-12 students –74,000 teachers –34,000 parents –3,200 school leaders –14,000 schools – from all 50 states, DC, American military base schools, Canada, Mexico, Australia 1.2 million respondents

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay) About Project Tomorrow: A national education nonprofit organization providing leadership, research and programming to support science, math and technology education in America’s schools

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 What Is Speak Up? Speak Up survey question themes: –Learning & Teaching with Technology –Web 2.0 / Web 3.0 in Education –21st Century Skills –Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness –Emerging Technologies in the Classroom Mobile devices Gaming Online learning –Designing the 21st Century School

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up 2007 Participation Overview K-12 Students319,223 Teachers25,544 Parents (in English & Spanish)19,726 School/District Administrators3,263 Schools3,729 Districts867 States All 50 Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, IL, AL, MD, NC, PA, FL, MI About Speak Up 2007 Schools: –97% public, 3% private –32% urban, 40% suburban, 29% rural –43% Title 1 eligible –29% majority-minority student population

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 We would like to recognize our Speak Up 2007 Sponsors:

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 We would like to also acknowledge the support of our Speak Up 2007 National Champion Outreach Partners:

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Original report released in Oct 2007 Learning in the 21 st Century: A National Report of Online Learning Downloadable from:

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 New report using Speak Up 2007 data Learning in the 21 st Century: A Trends Update Downloadable from:

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Big questions this year: What are the views & aspirations of students, teachers and school leaders regarding online learning? Are those views changing? What can we learn from a variety of online learning implementations?

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Expert Panel Discussion with: Earlene Patton Alabama Department of Education Shauna Washburn Frenship Independent School District Susan Wells Clear Creek Independent School District

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Students, teachers, parents & school leaders “Speak Up” about online learning: Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations Disconnects & Differences Trends & Leverage Points

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Let’s get to know each other! Audience Response How would you assess your own technology skills compared to your peers? Beginner Average Advanced

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Parents, Teachers, School Leaders: What kind of tech user are you?

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Question to Audience What % of students grades 6-12 consider themselves “advanced tech users?” a.6% b.24% c.70%

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 What % of students grades 6-12 consider themselves “advanced tech users?”

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Key findings from Speak Up 2007 Data “Digital disconnect” is alive and well! –Between students and adults –Between advanced tech students and other students –Between girls and boys –Between older and younger students

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Digital Disconnect A new “battleground” with emerging technologies in education Mobile devices Online learning Gaming technologies

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Students Today’s students are very interested in online learning opportunities.

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Question to Audience What percentage of middle school students say they are interested in taking an online class? A. 10% B. 24% C. 47%

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Students

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Question to Audience What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class? a.Take class not offered at my school b.Get extra help in a subject c.Earn college credit d.To work at my own pace e.To learn more about the subject

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Students

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Teachers are also very interested in online learning – for their classroom and their own professional development. Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers Online learning in the classroom Used LMS in class – 11% Explored for fit in classroom – 33% Interest in learning more – 31%

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers Professional development Have you taken online class? Professional development: 21% Career advancement: 16% Personal enrichment: 12%

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Question to Audience What percentage of teachers said “online classes” were their preferred method of professional development? a.10% b.26% c.39%

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow % of teachers now say that online classes are their preferred method of professional development – Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers

(c) Project Tomorrow % of teachers now say that online classes are their preferred method of professional development – an increase of almost 3 times over 2006 data findings Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders Schools and districts are implementing all kinds of online learning.

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 How is online learning being implemented? Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders Administrators say student engagement is #1 reason for online learning.

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Why offer or expand online learning? Student engagement45% Scheduling alternatives38% Offer personalized instruction34% Teacher interest in teaching33% Student requests 33% Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders And face similar barriers to the implementation of other emerging technologies.

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders What the barriers to implementation of online learning? Funding68% Need for PD32% Digital equity30% Integration into curriculum28% Competing priorities25%

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 What if you could design the ultimate school … what technologies would have the greatest impact on your learning?

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? a.Digital equipment for creating projects b.Games and virtual simulations c.Personal laptops for each student d.Student access to and IM at school e.Using devices like cellphones, MP3 players and PDAs f.Online classes Question to Audience

(c) Project Tomorrow and the Speak Up 2007 National results are.. NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Students What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? –Students in Kindergarten thru 12th grade say the same thing every year:

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings – Students What do students say is the #1 tech tool or service that will impact their learning? –Students in Kindergarten thru 12th grade say the same thing every year: “Give me a laptop for my personal use at school and at home”

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up Data Findings Students & Teachers

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Key benefits of online learning in education today: Expansion of learning opportunities Personalization of learning Engagement in learning

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Learning in the 21st Century: A Trends Update Downloadable from: Let’s discuss: More Speak Up data?

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Speak Up 2008 Fall 2008 Have a voice in national discussions Learn about the ideas of your own stakeholders Inform your plans, budgets and programs Participating schools and districts get free online access to your own quantitative data – with national benchmark data

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Let’s Hear from our Expert Panel Earlene Patton Alabama Department of Education Shauna Washburn Frenship Independent School District Susan Wells Clear Creek Independent School District

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 Top Ten Tips for implementing online learning -- compiled from NECC panelists a.Get buy in from curriculum department b.Identify funding sources – it is available c.Provide pre-training and professional development d.Involve school sites in planning process: rights, roles, contents e.Start small – implement a “required” course f.Incorporate rigorous, embedded digital content g.Take advantage of vendor consulting to help “jump-start” the implementation. h.Implement an online courses based to address “greatest need” i.Involve parents and secure buy-in for their child to participate j.Provide support during implementation & documentation in a variety of formats k.Identify credible materials to incorporate into master course

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 NECC Audience Responses Senteo Results

(c) Project Tomorrow 2008 It has been great to learn from you today. If you have any questions, please contact us: Julie Evans Project Tomorrow x15 Copyright Project Tomorrow 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.