1. Using Technology to Promote Student Success:
The New Student Vision
for 21st Century Digital Learning
Speak Up 2011 National Findings
Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow CEO
March 22, 2012

2. Tonight’s Discussion: The Big Questions
What are the expectations of K-12 students for digital
learning?
How does that student vision compare with the
teachers’ & administrators’ reality? What is the
unique parent perspective on digital learning?
How well are today’s K-12 schools meeting the
expectations of students?
What are the emerging trends in learning that we all
should be watching?

3. About Project Tomorrow
National education nonprofit organization
Focus on improving K12 science, math and
technology education – workforce skill development
Research, Program Evaluation, School and
Community Programs
Speak Up National Research Project
YouthTEACH2Learn
Innovation Awards
CA Future Educators Association
Program evaluation in mobile learning, digital content, professional
development, STEM career exploration and 21st century skill
development

4. Discussion Agenda:
About the Speak Up Project
The Student Vision for Digital Learning
Educators’ Realities, Parents’ Perspectives
Trends to Watch
Speak Up 2011 Findings: Nat’l, CA & San Diego Cty
Views of K-12 Students, Teachers,
Parents and Administrators

5. Speak Up National Research Project
Annual national research project
Online surveys + focus groups
Open for all K-12 schools and schools of education
Institutions receive free report with their own data
Collect ideas ↔ Stimulate conversations
K-12 Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators
Pre-Service Teachers in Schools of Education
Inform policies & programs
Analysis and reporting of findings and trends
Consulting services to help transform teaching and learning
+ 2.6 million surveys since 2003

6. Speak Up survey question themes
Learning & Teaching with Technology
21st Century Skills: Digital Citizenship
Science and Math Instruction
Career Interests in STEM and Teaching
Professional Development / Teacher Preparation
Internet Safety
Administrators’ Challenges
Emerging Technologies in the Classroom
Mobile Devices, Online Learning, Digital Content, E-textbooks
Educational Games, Web 2.0 tools and applications
Designing the 21st Century School

7. National, California and San Diego County
Speak Up 2011 Participation
National California San Diego
County
Students 330,117 41,736 10,738
Teachers 38,502 4,122 1,335
Administrators 4,133 555 174
Parents 44,006 8,515 2,513

8. What can the Speak Up findings
tell us about the future of
learning?

9. Speak Up National Research Project
Key Findings: Speak Up 2003 – 2011
Students function as a “Digital Advance Team”
Students regularly adopt and adapt emerging
technologies for learning
Students’ frustrations focus on the unsophisticated use
of technologies within education
Persistent digital disconnect between students and
adults
Exacerbation of lack of relevancy in current education

10. Let’s set some context . . . .

11. Administrators’ Realities
What has the greatest potential to enhance student
achievement?
School Site District Level
Enhancing teacher 59% 59%
effectiveness
21st century skills 49% 55%
integration
Leveraging technology 38% 52%
Common Core 39% 34%
Standards
Engaging parents as co- 37% 31%
teachers

12. Administrators’ Realities
What challenges are “waking you up” in the middle of
the night?”
Adequate funding
Achievement on test scores
Closing the achievement gap
Staff morale and motivation
Student behavior
School safety
Using data to assess student achievement
Use of technology within instruction

13. Administrators’ Realities
Impact of recent fiscal crisis on budgets

14. Administrators’ Realities
Impact of recent fiscal crisis on budgets
What tech solutions are you considering to help with
your budget situation?
1. Digital textbooks 43%
2. Tablets instead of laptops for students 39%
3. Online PD 37%
4. Cloud computing solutions 35%
5. Online classes for students 30%
6. Allowing student use of personal devices 27%

15. Administrators’ Realities
Personal use of emerging technology = higher value
proposition for classroom use

16. San Diego Parents
Concerns about your child’s school:
1. Classes are too big (56%)
2. Too much emphasis on tests (28%)
Concerns about your child’s future:
1. Is my child learning the right skills to be
successful? (72%)
2. Will my child be able to afford a home here?
(42%)
3. Will my child be competing for good jobs with
better educated global workers? (40%)
4. Will my child get into a good college? (35%)

17. Importance of effective use of technology
within instruction

18. Warm Up
Interactive Exercise

19. A
STUDENT’S
LIFE

21. In my life, I ……..
Play games on handheld devices (57%)
Take tests online for school (40%)
Have a cell phone or smartphone (40%)
Read books on my mobile device (53%)
Want more internet access at school (50%)
and want to take an online class (40%)

22. Who is . . . . . ?
1. 1st Grade Boy
2. 3rd Grade Girl
3. 6th Grade Boy
4. 9th Grade Girl
5. 12th Grade Boy

23. Who is a 3rd
Grade Girl?
(from a rural
community)

24. In my life, I ……..
Play games on handheld devices (57%)
Take tests online for school (40%)
Have a cell phone or smartphone (40%)
Read books on my mobile device (53%)
Want more internet access at school (50%)
and want to take an online class (40%)

25. Emerging from the Speak Up research:
A new uniquely “student vision” for
leveraging emerging technologies to
drive achievement and educational
productivity

26. Emerging from the Speak Up research:
A new uniquely “student vision” for
leveraging emerging technologies to
drive achievement and educational
productivity
This student vision for “technology
enabled learning” mirrors how
students want to learn in general

27. The New Student Vision for Learning
Social–based learning
Un–tethered learning
Digitally–rich learning

28. The New Student Vision for Learning
Three Essential Elements
Social–based learning
Students want to leverage
emerging communications
and collaboration tools to
create personal learning
networks of experts

29. The New Student Vision for Learning
Three Essential Elements
Un-tethered learning
Students envision
technology-enabled learning
that transcends classroom
walls

30. The New Student Vision for Learning
Three Essential Elements
Digitally-rich
learning
Students see the use of
relevancy-based digital
tools, content and
resources as key to
education productivity

31. The New 3 E’s of Education:
Enabled, Engaged, Empowered
Key Trends:
Mobile Learning
Online Learning
Digital Content

32. The New 3 E’s of Education:
Enabled, Engaged, Empowered
Key Trends: Mobile Learning

33. Students and their devices
San Diego County: Personal Access to Mobile Devices
Device K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12
Cell phone (without internet
15% 23% 50% 53%
access)
Smart phone 12% 17% 35% 48%
Digital reader 6% 9% 17% 13%
MP3 23% 47% 76% 86%
Tablet device 23% 21% 29% 23%

34. Obstacles to using tech @ school?
52% of students Gr 6-12 say “not being able to use
my mobile device” is a major obstacle

35. Obstacles to using tech @ school?
52% of students Gr 6-8 say “not being able to use
my mobile device” is a major obstacle
Solutions?
“Let me use my own device” – 54%
OR
“Provide me with device I can use @school – 34%

36. Obstacles to using tech @ school?
52% of students Gr 6-8 say “not being able to use
my mobile device” is a major obstacle
Solutions?
“Let me use my own device” – 54%
OR
“Provide me with device I can use @school – 34%
Either way: I need more outlets for re-charging (29%)!

37. Students and mobile learning
How would you use a mobile device to help you
with schoolwork?
A. Increase effectiveness of school:
Check grades 82%
Take notes for class 67%
Access online textbooks 64%
Write papers and do homework 58%
Use the calendar 48%
Learn about school activities 47%

38. Students and mobile learning
How would you use a mobile device to help you
with schoolwork?
B. Leverage capabilities to increase personalization
of learning process:
Anytime, anywhere research 73%
Receive reminders & alerts 64%
Collaborate with peers & teachers 59%
Organize schoolwork assignments 51%
Access school network from home 49%

39. School principals’ point of view on mobile learning
How likely are you this year to allow students to use
their own mobile devices for instructional purposes
at school?

40. School principals’ point of view on mobile learning

41. “What is holding you back?”
Top challenges:
Concerns about theft of devices
Concerns about network security
Digital equity issues
Teachers are not trained
Devices could be a distraction

42. Mobile learning visions
Parents offer a solution to the digital equity challenge
If your child’s school allowed for the use of mobile
devices for educational purposes, how likely is it
that you would purchase one for your child?

43. If your child’s school allowed for the use of mobile devices
for educational purposes, how likely is it that you would
purchase one for your child?

44. Students and mobile learning
Let’s talk about home access
Students' Self Reporting on Home Internet Access
Broadband access
Gr 6-8
Mobile device access
Gr 9-12
School provided
device
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

45. The New 3 E’s of Education:
Enabled, Engaged, Empowered
Key Trends: Online Learning

46. Who is learning online?
Types of online learning Students: Students:
experiences Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12
100% online school 7% 5%
Online self study class 10% 16%
Teacher led online class 7% 9%
Online class for personal 9% 10%
interests

47. San Diego students and parents are interested in
online learning
If you have not taken an online class, would you
like to?
Yes! Students in Grades 3-5 20%
Students in Grades 6-8 46%
Students in Grades 9-12 45%
What would you recommend as a good investment
to enhance student achievement?
1/3 of parents say “online classes”

48. A
STUDENT’S
LIFE

49. A
STUDENT’S
LIFE

50. San Diego students
are most
interested in taking
an online class in
this subject

51. What is . . . . . ?
1. English – Language Arts
2. Science
3. Math
4. History – Social Studies
5. Foreign Language

52. What is . . . . . A tie!
1. English – Language Arts
2. Science
3. Math
4. History – Social Studies
43% - Gr 6-8 Students
5. Foreign Language
32% - Gr 9-12 Students

53. Why take an online class?
For high school students, traditional reasons:
scheduling and college credit.
For middle school students, it’s about changing the
learning paradigm.

54. Why take an online class?
For high school students, traditional reasons: scheduling and
college credit.
For middle school students, it’s about changing the learning
paradigm.
Get extra help in a tough subject
More comfortable asking questions
In control of my own learning
More motivated to learn
Work at my own pace
Review class materials whenever I want
Share ideas with my classmates

55. Administrators’ Realities
Online learning snapshot:
46% of CA administrators have taken an
online class for PD
23% have taken a blended online class for PD
52% say greatest benefit to students is
academic remediation
34% value online classes in their ultimate
school vision

56. Administrators’ Realities
Most significant barriers however to expanding online
learning for students:
1. Concern about quality of student-teacher
interaction
2. Lack of infrastructure to support online learning
3. How to evaluate quality of courses
4. How to create rigorous classes
5. Finding teachers to teach online classes

57. The New 3 E’s of Education:
Enabled, Engaged, Empowered
Key Trends: Digital Content

58. Inside today’s classroom
How San Diego County Students are Using Digital Content for
Schoolwork
Create presentations and
media
Play educational games
Conduct virtual
experiments/simulations
Use e-textbooks
Access realtime
data/databases
Listen to podcasts
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Gr 9-12 Gr 6-8 Gr 3-5

59. Inside today’s classroom
How Students are Using Digital Content for Schoolwork
Create presentations and
media
Play educational games
Conduct virtual
experiments/simulations
Use e-textbooks
Gr 9-12
Access realtime
data/databases Gr 6-8
Gr 3-5
Listen to podcasts
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Gr 6-8: Increase of 41% in use of
e-textbooks from 2010 to 2011

60. Administrators’ Realities
Most significant barriers however to integrating digital
content into curriculum
1. Providing enough technology to support the use
2. Balancing time issues
3. Teachers are not trained in how to use effectively
4. How to evaluate the quality of the content
5. Locating affordable content aligned to our
curriculum

61. What is most important when evaluating quality of
digital content?
Administrators say:
Student achievement (57%)
Teacher evaluation (49%)
Created by teachers (33%)
Certified by ed org (32%)
Content expertise (32%
Conference demo (28%)
Content is free (27%)

62. What is most important when evaluating quality of
digital content?
Administrators say: Teachers say:
Student achievement (57%) Created by teachers (55%)
Teacher evaluation (49%) Content is free (53%)
Created by teachers (33%) Colleague referral (50%)
Certified by ed org (32%) Teacher evaluation (42%)
Content expertise (32%) Student achievement (38%)
Conference demo (28%) Certified by ed org (37%)
Content is free (27%) Content expertise (29%)

63. What is most important when evaluating quality of
digital content?
Administrators say: Teachers say:
Student achievement (57%) Created by teachers (55%)
Teacher evaluation (49%) Content is free (53%)
Created by teachers (33%) Colleague referral (50%)
Certified by ed org (32%) Teacher evaluation (42%)
Content expertise (32%) Student achievement(38%)
Conference demo (28%) Certified by ed org (37%)
Content is free (27%) Content expertise (29%)

64. A
STUDENT’S
LIFE

65. #1 way to
improve math
class

66. What is . . . . . ?
1. Having a teacher who is excited about
math
2. Using an online textbook
3. Solving real world problems
4. Collaborating with classmates
5. Using a mobile device in class

67. What is
collaborating
with classmates
on solving
problems?

68. Your middle school students’ “speak up” about
the ultimate math class
Collaborate with classmates on problem solving 50%
Ability to text my teacher with questions 42%
I have a connection with my teacher 38%
My teacher is excited about math 37%
Solving real world problems 32%
Ability to use mobile devices to video problems 32%
Access to online tutors 30%
Access to online textbooks 31%
Take an online math class 27%

69. The New Student Vision for Learning
Social–based learning
Un–tethered learning
Digitally–rich learning

70. The use of technology in schools today
Do you agree with this statement?
“My school is doing a good job
of using technology to
enhance learning and student
achievement.”

71. “My school is doing a good job of using
technology to enhance learning and student
achievement.”
Yes!
• 74% of high school teachers
• 72% of high school principals
• 62% of parents of high school aged children

72. “My school is doing a good job of using
technology to enhance learning and student
achievement.”
Yes!
• 74% of high school teachers
• 72% of high school principals
• 62% of parents of high school aged children
But only 44% of San Diego County
high school students agree!

73. Imagine you are designing the ultimate
school for today’s students,
what technologies would have the
greatest impact on learning?

74. Imagine you are designing the ultimate
school for today’s students,
what technologies would have the
greatest impact on learning?
Creating a shared vision?

75. Designing the Ultimate School:
Do we have a shared vision?

76. Tonight’s Discussion: The Big Questions
What are the expectations of K-12 students for digital
learning?
How does that student vision compare with the
teachers’ & administrators’ reality? What is the
unique parent perspective on digital learning?
How well are today’s K-12 schools meeting the
expectations of students?
What are the emerging trends in learning that we all
should be watching?

77. What is the bottom line?
Today’s K-12 students
want learning that is:
Enabled
Engaging
Empowered

78. Key trends we are watching:
Continuing “digital disconnects”
Spectrum of digital native-ness
24/7 access redefined
Inadequacy of the 1-to-1 paradigm
Everyone needs a personal learning
network
Responsible use vs. acceptable use
Blurring of informal & formal learning lines

79. Key trends we are watching:
Collaborations driving 21st century skills
Game-ification momentum – learning as
process
Students as content producers
Changing ideals for assessment
It’s really all about productivity!
Maximizing personalized learning
Emergence of Free Agent Learners!

80. The era of the technology-enabled
Free Agent Learner

81. Key Characteristics:
– Self directed learning
– Un-tethered to traditional education
– Expert at personal data aggregation
– Power of connections
– Creating new networks of experts
– Experiential learning is key – make it real
– Develops content as a learning experience
– Process as important as knowledge gained

82. Sample activities
Searches online for self-directed learning
Finds podcasts/videos to learn about something
Uses mobile apps to self organize
Taps into Facebook for schoolwork help
Takes online tests or assessments on their own
Uses online writing tools to improve writing skills

83. Sample activities
Searches online for self-directed learning
Finds podcasts/videos to learn about something
Uses mobile apps to self organize
Taps into Facebook for schoolwork help
Takes online tests or assessments on their own
Uses online writing tools to improve writing skills

84. Say hello to the
Free Agent Learner:
a typical middle
school student

85. More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org
National Speak Up Findings and reports
Speak Up 2011 data: national release Apr 24
Presentations, podcasts and webinars
Evaluation services & reports
Speak Up 2012!

86. Special Announcement
Speak Up for
America’s Future Teachers
Special online surveys to collect and report on the views of
the next generation of K-12 teachers on the role of
technology within teaching and learning.
March 12 – May 11
Sign up to receive
information and alerts
www.tomorrow.org

87. Thank you.
Let’s continue this conversation.
Julie Evans
Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org
949-609-4660 x15
Twitter: JulieEvans_PT
Copyright Project Tomorrow 2011.
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