The New "Free Agent Learner"

Villanova University
April 7, 2011

Coming Soon to Your School or Campus:
The New “Free Agent Learner

Are you ready?
Speak Up 2010
• National Findings Julie Evans
• Regional Findings Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org

© Project Tomorrow 2010

Today’s Discussion: The Big Questions

What are the expectations of K-12 students for 21st
century learning?

How does that student vision compare with classroom
realities?

How well are today’s K-12 schools meeting the
expectations of students? What does this mean for
higher education institutions?


Today’s Discussion: The Big Questions

century learning?

realities?


Who is this “Free Agent Learner?”


Discussion Agenda:

About the Speak Up National Research Project
Student Vision for 21st Century Education
Classroom Realities
Key Trends We Are Watching
Meet the Free Agent Learner
Conversation – Your insights!


Defining 21st century education . . .

“I believe that the purpose of education is not to make men
carpenters, but to make carpenters men. To be competitive in a
workplace that is changing and will change continuously throughout
our careers, my peers and I need to be able to read and
understand new information at a level never before prevalent.
This should be, however, a familiar aim for the forces of academia,
however, since what we must learn, in essence, is to learn.

I would ensure a broad and balanced education that exposes every
student to rigorous inquiry in every discipline, from physics to pottery
and makes them active participants in the process of inquiry and
learning.”

11th grade student
Pittsburgh PA


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, Librarians
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


Speak Up National Research Project

Empowering authentic voices – since 2003:
1.9 million K-12 students
180,000 teachers and librarians
124,000 parents
15,500 school and district leaders
30,000 K-12 schools – from all 50 states, DC,
American military base schools, Canada, Mexico,
Australia, int’l schools . . .

2.2 million respondents


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
Educational Games, Web 2.0 tools and applications
Designing the 21st Century School


National Speak Up 2010 Participation: 379,355

K-12 Students 294,399
Teachers 35,525
Librarians 2,135
Parents (in English & Spanish) 42,267
School/District Administrators 3,578
Technology Leaders 1,391
Schools / Districts 6,541 / 1,340

Participating States for Student Surveys: 48 states
Top 12 (# of participants):
TX, CA, AL, AZ, FL, NC, IL, MD, IN, NV, PA, WI


National Speak Up 2010 Participation: 379,355

About our K-12 Schools:
34% urban, 29% suburban, 37% rural
51% Title 1 eligible – indicating community poverty
34% majority-minority student population


Regional Speak Up 2010 Participation

PA NJ DE

K-12 Students 6802 973 1630

Teachers & 642 na 805
Librarians

Administrators 59 na 74

Parents 728 na 301


Speak Up 2010 National Findings
1st of two reports

The New 3 E’s of Education:
Enabled, Engaged, Empowered

How today’s students are leveraging
emerging technologies for learning


You are invited:

National Release of the 2010 Speak Up Data Findings from
K-12 Teachers, Librarians and Administrators

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
12 noon – 1:30 pm
Rayburn House Office Building - Room B339
Presentation of Findings and 2nd Report
Panel of Educators
Interactive Discussion
Bring your smart phone!


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


What can the Speak Up data tell us about the
future of learning?

Increasingly, students’ aspirations
around the use of emerging
technologies within education is a
reflection of their desired vision
for learning in general.


Voices of K-12 Students
Speak Up 2010

Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations

Disconnects & Differences

Trends & Leverage Points

Other data available on
K-12 Teachers, Administrators, Parents & Librarians


Speak Up Data Findings

Warm Up
Interactive Exercise


MY ONLINE
LIFE


In my personal life, I ….
Use online communications tools (68%)
Update Facebook regularly (47%)
Play online games (46%)
Upload, download, create media (29%)
Use Google Docs for collaborative writing (27%)
Blog and contribute to wikis (19%)


Who is?

1. 2nd Grade Boy (8 years old)
2. 6th Grade Girl (12 years old)
3. 10th Grade Boy (16 years old)
4. College Sophomore – Female (20 years old)
5. Teacher or Instructor – under 32 years old


Who is a 6th
Grade Girl
(12 years old)?


Uses online communications tools (68%)
Updates Facebook regularly (47%)
Plays online games (46%)
Uploads, downloads, creates media (29%)
Uses Google Docs for collaborative writing (27%)
Blogs and contributes to wikis (19%)


Key Findings: Speak Up 2003 – 2010

Students function as a “Digital Advance Team”

Students regularly adopt and adapt emerging technologies
for learning

Students’ frustrations with the unsophisticated use of
technologies within education

Lack of relevancy in education exacerbated

Persistent digital disconnect between students and
adults


Result:

A new uniquely “student vision”
for leveraging emerging
technologies to drive achievement
and educational productivity


Creating Our Future: Students Speak Up about
their Vision for 21st Century Learning

Social–based learning
Un–tethered learning
Digitally–rich learning



Three Essential Elements


Students want to leverage
emerging communications
and collaboration tools to
create personal networks of
experts




Un-tethered learning
Students envision
technology-enabled
learning that transcends
classroom walls




Digitally-rich
learning
Students see the use of
relevancy-based digital
tools, content and
resources as key to
education productivity



Key Trends to Watch:

Mobile Learning

Online and Blended Learning

E-Textbooks and Digital Content



Key Trends: Mobile Learning


Students and their devices: PA

Table 1: Personal Access to Mobile Devices

Device K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12

Cell phone (without internet access) 24% 30% 54% 61%

Smart phone 12% 15% 26% 42%

Laptop 36% 42% 58% 66%

MP3 46% 62% 81% 87%

Tablet device (iPad) 13% 6% 9% 6%


Students and their devices: PA
Table 1: Personal Access to Mobile Devices

Device K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12

Cell phone (without internet
24% 30% 54% 61%
access)
Smart phone 12% 15% 26% 42%

Laptop 36% 42% 58% 66%

MP3 46% 62% 81% 87% 42%
Tablet device (iPad) 13% 6% 9% 6% increase
over 2009

Device Gr 6-8 Nat’l Gr 9-12 Nat’l
Smart phone 34% 44%


Students – Grades 6-8: How would you use your
mobile device to help you with schoolwork?

1. To increase effectiveness of school:

PA NJ
Check grades 69% 59%
Take notes for class 61% 66%
Access online textbooks 45% 55%
Use the calendar 43% 48%
Learn about school activities 42% 40%


Students – Grades 6-8: How would you use your
mobile device to help you with schoolwork?

2. To leverage capabilities for greater impact:

PA NJ
Anytime, anywhere research 64% 64%
Collaborate with peers & teachers 48% 52%
Organize schoolwork/assignments 44% 47%
Create and share documents 36% 42%
Record lectures/labs 34% 41%


Administrators: So, what prevents you from
allowing students to use their own devices at
school?

Administrators say:

1. Teachers are not trained
2. Concerns about network security
3. Concerns about theft
4. Devices could be distraction
5. Digital equity issues


Administrators: How likely are you this year to
allow students to use their own mobile devices
for instructional purposes at school?

Administrators say:

Likely Unlikely
22% 63%


Would parents purchase a mobile device for
their child to use at school?

Parents say:

Likely Unlikely
67% 11%


Parents’ willingness to support mobile learning

Parents: Would you buy a mobile device for your
child to use at school? (by grade of child in school)

70%
Likely 69%
63%

School 12%
13%
responsibility 14%
8%
Unlikely 10%
11%
7%
Unsure 8%
10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

K - Gr 5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12


Would parents purchase a data plan to support
their child’s use of the mobile device at school?

Parents say:

Likely Unlikely
54% 16%


Key Trends: Online and Blended Learning


Who is learning online?

Growth in student experiences with academic online learning

2010

2009

Students Gr 9-12
2008 Students Gr 6-8

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Includes:
• Online class taught by a teacher
• Self-study online class
• Blended class environment


If you haven’t taken an online class, would you
like to?

Student Interest in Online Learning

60%
50%
40% PA
30% NJ
20% DE

10%
0%
Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8


What is holding back greater adoption?
Students say they face barriers in accessing
online classes

“I don’t know about the classes offered at my school” (34%)

“My school does not offer online classes” (29%)

“I don’t know how to sign up for online classes” (24%)

“I don’t know how to find information about online classes”
(23%)

“I can’t afford to pay for an online class” (17%)


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.


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


Students’ favorite tool for
collaborating with peers on
school projects and
assignments


What is?

1. Online chat
2. Skype
3. Email
4. IM and text messaging
5. Facebook


What is IM and text messaging?


Favorite collaboration tool for schoolwork:

Online chat 49%
Skype 32%
Email 50%
IM and text messaging 59%
Facebook 47%



Key Trends: E-Textbooks & Digital Content


What if ….

We asked students (and parents) to design
the ultimate digital textbook?

What features and functionality would they
desire?


Students’ desires for the features and
functionality of digital textbooks

Three themes emerge from the data:

Students want interactivity and relevancy
They want tools to facilitate collaboration
They want ways to personalize learning


Designing the Ultimate E-Textbook

Un-tethered Learning Enabled by the E-Textbook

Communications tools

Collaboration tools

Online tutors

Chat rooms with video

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Gr 6-8 Girl Gr 6-8 Boy Middle School Parents



Engaging Social-based Learning with the E-Textbook

Online classes

Self assessments Middle School Parents
Gr 6-8 Boy
Mobile apps Gr 6-8 Girl

Download to phone

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%



Empowering Digitally-rich Content through the E-Textbook

Virtual labs

Video clips

Links to real time data

Games

Animations and simulations

Access to 3D content

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Gr 6-8 Girl Gr 6-8 Boy Middle School Parents


Info and media literacy skills: what’s important?

Table 2: PA Teachers and Students differ on the relative
importance of information and media literacy skills
High School
Information and Media Literacy Skill Teachers
Students

Ability to identify information sources for
73% 53%
research
Ability to prepare written/verbal research reports 61% 54%

Ability to produce digital media reports 25% 37%
Know how to analyze and interpret media
46% 49%
stories
Know how to detect bias in resources 53% 43%

Understand how to evaluate the authenticity of
72% 43%
resources


#1 way to get students
interested and engaged in
science … per the students
themselves


What is?

1. Having a teacher that is excited about science
2. Creating multi-media presentations of findings
3. Doing real research using online databases
4. Using animations
5. Reading the science textbook


What is doing
real research
with online
databases?


The Student Vision for 21st Century Learning

Un–tethered learning
Digitally–rich learning


Do you face obstacles using technology at school?

Students say YES! Top responses from high school students:
PA Nat’l

1. School filters and firewalls 65% 59%
2. I cannot use my mobile device 63% 52%
3. I cannot use my own laptop 40% 29%
4. Teachers limit our technology use 37% 37%
5. Too many rules! 34% 31%


How schools could make it easier for you to use
technology
Recommendations of high school students:

1. Allow greater access to websites I need (71%)
2. Let me use my own mobile device (56%)
3. Give me unlimited Internet access on campus (44%)
4. Let me use my own laptop (41%)
5. Provide classwork and resources online (36%)
6. Let me recharge my devices (32%)
7. Access my social networking site and
communications tools (31%)


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.”


“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


“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 47% of high school students agree!


Imagine you are designing the
ultimate school.

Which technology tools and services
would have the greatest positive impact
on learning?


Imagine you are designing the
ultimate school.

Which technology tools and services
would have the greatest positive impact
on learning?

Are we all on the same page?


Ultimate School: Are we on the same page?

Ultimate School: Enabling Mobile Learning

iPad

Smart phone

Laptops

Bring own device to school

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Gr 6-8 Students Gr 9-12 Students Parents Administrators



Ultimate School: Engaging Online Learning

Online tutors

Online classes

Collaboration tools

Chat rooms for students

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%




Ultimate School: Empowering Digital Content

Campus w ide internet access

Online or e-textbooks

Games and virtual simulations

Adaptive softw are

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%



What is the bottom line?

Today’s students
want learning that is:

Enabled

Engaging

Empowered

Key trends we are watching:

Continuing “digital disconnects”
Spectrum of digital native-ness
Multiple “computers” in the backpack
Adaptation trumps adoption
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any pace
learning
Developing personal expert networks


Key trends we are watching:

Self directed learning for student & teacher
Everyone is a content developer
Make it relevant to me!
Blurring of informal & formal learning lines
Beyond engagement: it’s really about
productivity!
“Long tail” of training & education


Speak Up National Data Findings

The era of the technology-enabled

Free Agent Learner


Introducing the Free Agent Learner!

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


Meet the Free Agent Learner!

Sampling of activities

Searched online for self-directed learning 47%
Used cell phone apps to self organize 20%
Found podcasts/videos to learn about something 18%
Took an online test or assessment on their own 15%
Used online writing tools to improve writing skills 15%
Sought academic help thru Facebook 15%
Created podcasts/videos to share knowledge 14%


Meet the Free Agent Learner!

Sampling of activities

Searched online for self-directed learning 47%
Used cell phone apps to self organize 20%
Found podcasts/videos to learn about something 18%
Took an online test or assessment on their own 15%
Used online writing tools to improve writing skills 15%
Sought academic help thru Facebook 15%
Created podcasts/videos to share knowledge 14%

Who is this?

Say hello to the
Free Agent
Learner –

a typical middle
school student!


Today’s Discussion: The Original Big Questions

century learning?

realities?


Who is this “Free Agent Learner?”


The New Big Questions

What does this mean for your institution or district?

Are you ready to address the needs of the Free Agent
Learner?

Does your operational plan support this student
vision for learning?

How will your faculty accommodate this new student
vision for socially-based, un-tethered, digitally-rich
learning?

What is your vision for the future of teaching and
learning?


More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org

National Speak Up Findings and reports

Additional data analysis from Speak Up 2010

Presentations, podcasts and webinars

Evaluation services

Reports and white papers

Participate in Speak Up 2011!


Thank you.
Let’s continue this conversation.

Julie Evans
Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org
949-609-4660 x15

Copyright Project Tomorrow 2011.
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.


The New "Free Agent Learner"

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