1. EDUCAUSE 2008 Annual Conference October 30, 2008
Tomorrow’s Students,
Today’s K-12 Digital Learners -
Are you ready for them?
EDUCAUSE 2008
Annual Conference
October 30, 2008

2. Our discussion today:
What are the expectations of our future students? How do we prepare for these students of tomorrow? What are the important trends in education & technology that we should be discussing today?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

3. Irving (Nick) Nicholson Director of eLearning Programs
“We want technology to be almost a thoughtless, seamless process. When you go to a classroom, you pick up a piece of chalk. Technology should be as automatic as picking up the chalk. The newer teachers are expecting it and our students are expecting it when they come into the classroom.”
Irving (Nick) Nicholson
Director of eLearning Programs
Chicago Public Schools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

4. What is Speak Up? 1.2 million respondents
Annual national research project
Online surveys
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 with districts and state agencies
NCES back end database – provide statistically significant samplings from the data
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

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

6. National Speak Up 2007 Participation
K-12 Students ,223
Teachers ,544
Parents (in English & Spanish) 19,726
School/District Administrators 3,263
Schools 3,729
Districts
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

7. 2007 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

8. Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow?
Current Work ?
Tomorrow’s
Students
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

9. Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow?
Current Work
Millennial
Attitudes & Values
K-12
Education
Priorities
Tomorrow’s
Students
Technology-Infused
Learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

10. K-12 Education Priorities
What issues are “waking up” our
nation’s school and district leaders
in the middle of the night?
What issues are driving
their priorities and education vision?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

11. K-12 Education Priorities
What issues are waking up our K-12 education leaders in the middle of the night?
Top 5 List – Speak Up 2007 data:
Test scores
Funding
Communications with parents
School safety
Student diversity / Use of technology
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

12. K-12 Education Priorities
Seismic changes in K-12 education since early 1970’s
A sampling of those “earthquakes”
Standards based education
Teacher quality/retention issues
Role of education
More education stakeholders
Expectations for success for all
Diversity of languages, styles, cultures
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

13. K-12 Education Priorities
Seismic changes in K-12 education since early 1970’s
A sampling of those “earthquakes”
Standards based education
Teacher quality/retention issues
Role of education
More education stakeholders
Expectations for success for all
Diversity of languages, styles, cultures
A different kind of learner
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

14. Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow?
Current Work
Millennial
Attitudes & Values
K-12
Education
Priorities
Tomorrow’s
Students
Technology-Infused
Learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

15. Millennial Attitudes & Values
How do they want to learn?
Collaboratively
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any pace
Structured activities
Relevancy with real world
And with all kinds of technology
Millennials Rising (Neil Howe and William Strauss)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

16. Creating context: How do we prepare for the students of tomorrow?
Current Work
Millennial
Attitudes & Values
K-12
Education
Priorities
Tomorrow’s
Students
Technology-Infused
Learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

17. Attitudes & Aspirations Disconnects & Differences
Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
Students, technology & learning:
Activities,
Attitudes & Aspirations
Disconnects & Differences
Trends & Leverage Points
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

18. Key findings from Speak Up 2007 data:
“Digital disconnect” is alive & well:
the gap between how
today’s students learn and
how they live!
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

19. 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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

20. Let’s add some context:
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

21. Let’s add some context:
Today’s 22 yr olds
were in 2nd grade
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

22. Let’s add some more context:
Today’s 12 yr olds were in 1st grade
Today’s 22 yr olds
were in 2nd grade
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

23. Which “student” are your systems set up to support?
Today’s 12 yr olds were in 1st grade
Today’s 22 yr olds
were in 2nd grade
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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

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

26. Audience Response:
What % of students grades 6-12 consider themselves “advanced tech users?” 6%
24%
70%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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

28. What do you do regularly with technology?
Students:
What do you do regularly with technology?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

29. Online and computer gaming Download music
Students:
What do you do regularly with technology?
The “Big 4”today :
Online and computer gaming
Download music
Communications – , IM, Txt
Maintain a personal website
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

30. Online and computer gaming Download music
The “Big 4”
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

31. On the horizon – coming quickly to a tipping point near you!
Virtual worlds
24% of students gr 3-5 participate regularly
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

32. What do you do regularly with technology – for schoolwork?
Students:
What do you do regularly with technology
– for schoolwork?
Top 5 responses:
Writing assignments (74%)
Online research (72%)
Checking assignments/grades online (58%)
Creating slideshows, videos, webpages (57%)
or IM classmates about assignments (44%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

33. How satisfied are today’s students with technology use at their school?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

34. Obstacles to student tech use at school
Top responses:
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

35. Let me use my own tools & devices
How could your school make it easier for you to use technology?
Top 5 student demands:
Let me use my own tools & devices
Give me unlimited Internet access
Let me access my projects anywhere
Provide me with communication tools
Give me access to the school network – even from home
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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

37. Mobile devices @ school
Digital Disconnect:
A new battleground with emerging technologies
in education
Mobile school
Cell phones
Laptops
MP3 players
Smartphones & PDAs
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

38. Using Mobile Devices for Learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

39. Communications Collaborations Creativity Productivity
How student want to use mobile devices
to support learning
Communications
Collaborations
Creativity
Productivity
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

40. Communications Collaborations Creativity Productivity
How student want to use mobile devices
to support learning
Communications
teachers, classmates
Access personal websites
Collaborations
Projects and calendars
Creativity
Create/share documents
Productivity
Research, downloads, ed games
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

41. Online learning Digital Disconnect:
A new “battleground” with emerging technologies
in education
Online learning
Dedicated online class
Blended class
On own or through school
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

42. Online learning and students
High School Students’ Usage
8% taken online class
9% taken a class with an online component
6% taken an online class outside of school
Almost 1 our 4 high school students have experience with online learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

43. +33% of high school students +24% of middle school students
Online learning and students
Is there interest in taking online classes? Yes!
Beyond the students with current experience:
+33% of high school students
+24% of middle school students
+19% of students grades 3-5
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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

45. What is the #1 reason middle school students want to take an online class?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

46. Gaming technologies for learning
Digital Disconnect:
A new “battleground” with emerging technologies
in education
Gaming technologies for learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

47. Gaming Technologies in Learning
Over 64% of students K-12 play
Average is 8 – 10 hours per week
Using a wide variety of devices
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

48. 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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

49. Gaming Technologies in Learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

50. 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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

51. Computer games Cell phones Console video players Handhelds
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

52. 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%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

53. 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%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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

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

56. 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

57. “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?
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

58. What if you could design the
ultimate school?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

59. Is your school doing a good job preparing
you/your students/your child for future jobs?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

60. Is your school doing a good job preparing
you/your students/your child for future jobs?
YES!
School Principals 66%
District Administrators 48%
Teachers 47%
Parents 43%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

61. Is your school doing a good job preparing
you/your students/your child for future jobs?
YES!
School Principals 66%
District Administrators 48%
Teachers 47%
Parents 43%
Advanced tech students 23%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

62. Continuing “digital disconnects” Spectrum of digital native-ness
Speak Up 2007 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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

63. Self directed learning for student & teacher
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

64. Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
But what is the #1 trend that you should watch regarding your future students?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

65. Free Agent Learner The era of the technology-enabled
Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
#1 Trend to watch for your future students:
The era of the technology-enabled
Free Agent Learner
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

66. Self directed learning Un-tethered to trad’l education
Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
Free Agent Learner
Characteristics:
Self directed learning
Un-tethered to trad’l education
Expert at personal data aggregation
Examples: Online learning
Control over knowledge authenticity
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

67. Creating new communities Not tethered to physical networks
Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
Free Agent Learner
Characteristics:
Power of connections
Creating new communities
Not tethered to physical networks
Example: Mobile devices
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

68. Experiential learning – make it real Content developers
Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
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
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

69. What is the impact of this Free Agent Learner on your institution?
What is the impact of these
other emerging trends?
What are the tough questions
you need to be asking today?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

70. Tough questions to think about today:
Content
Culture
Competition
Control
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

71. Tough questions to think about today:
Content
What is content today, what will define it tomorrow?
Culture
How will these Free Agents fit into our existing culture or is a new culture required/preferred?
Competition
Do we need new “business models?”
Control
Who controls the learning process in this new world?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

72. More Speak Up?
Visit
Student, Teacher, Parent & Administrator Data Findings – updated annually
Reports such as:
Learning in the 21st 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 21st Century: The New Visionary Administrator (October 2008)
New!
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

73. Speak Up 2008 Oct 27 – Dec 19 Inform plans, budgets and programs
Help K-12 students, educators and parents have a voice in national discussions
Learn about the ideas of your future students
Inform plans, budgets and programs
Participating schools and districts get
free online access to their
own quantitative data –
with national benchmark data
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

74. Speak Up 2008 survey logistics
Surveys for K-12 students, teachers, parents and administrators
100% online surveys – parent survey in English and Spanish
Schools and districts register to participate
Takes 20 minutes to complete; all data is confidential
Participating schools/districts get their data back in early February 2009 – with national benchmark data
National Findings in Congressional Briefing - March 2009
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

75. Speak Up 2008 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
Designing the 21st Century School
New Questions for 2008:
Digital Content
Broadband Access & Policy
Information and Media Literacy
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

76. New Ideas for Higher Education!
K-12 Teacher Preparation Programs
Have your pre-service students take the
teacher survey
Compare your students’ views with in-service
teachers
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

77. New Ideas for Higher Education!
K-12 Teacher Preparation Programs
Have your pre-service students take the
teacher survey
Compare your students’ views with in-service
teachers
Outreach to K-12 Schools and Districts
Facilitate this service for your regional partners
Use the data in outreach workshops
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

78. New Ideas for Higher Education!
K-12 Teacher Preparation Programs
Have your pre-service students take the
teacher survey
Compare your students’ views with in-service
teachers
Outreach to K-12 Schools and Districts
Facilitate this service for your regional partners
Use the data in outreach workshops
Presentations, Workshops, Webinars, Consulting
Inform your faculty & administration
Leverage data for strategic planning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008

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