1. NECC 2009
Washington DC
July 1, 2009
21st Century Learning:
The New Visionary Administrator
“Speaks Up!”
Julie Evans Julie Feinberg
Project Tomorrow Blackboard Inc
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

2. “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 2009

3. Today’s session
What is Speak Up?
Review of National Data Findings
Intro to Report Findings
Panel of Experts
Audience Q&A
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

4. What is Speak Up?
• Annual national research project
– Online surveys + focus groups
– 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 services, webinars
– NCES back end database – provide statistically significant samplings
• 6 years of empowering authentic voices – since 2003:
– 1.3 million K-12 students
–
–
103,000 teachers
54,000 parents
1.5 million respondents
– 6,300 school leaders
– 18,000 schools – from all 50 states, DC, American military base
schools, Canada, Mexico, Australia
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

5. Get ready!
Speak Up 2009
Oct 12 – Dec 18
New online surveys for:
K-12 Students
Teachers
Parents
Administrators
and
Pre-Service Teachers
(new this year!)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

6. Speak Up is facilitated annually
by Project Tomorrow
(formerly known as NetDay)
Project Tomorrow is the nation’s
leading education nonprofit
organization dedicated to the
empowerment of student voices
in education.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

7. Speak Up 2008 survey question themes
 Learning & Teaching with Technology
 Web 2.0 in Education
 Broadband Access & Policy
 21st Century Skills: Information and Media Literacy
Skills
 Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness
 Emerging Technologies in the Classroom
 Mobile Devices
 Online Learning
 Digital Content
 Designing the 21st Century School
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

8. National Speak Up 2008 Participation
 K-12 Students 281,500
 Teachers 29,644
 Parents (in English & Spanish) 21,309
 School/District Administrators 3,114
 Schools 4,379
 Districts 868
 States All 50
o Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, AL, IL, MD, FL, NC, NE, WI
About Speak Up Schools:
– 95% public, 3% private, 2% virtual
– 35% urban, 32% suburban, 33% rural
– 45% Title 1 eligible
– 34% majority-minority student population
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

9. We would like to recognize our Speak Up
2008 Sponsors:
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

10. And the support of our Speak Up 2008 National
Champion Outreach Partners:
+ 75 other national
education associations &
nonprofit groups
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

11. Release of the Speak Up National Findings
Student, Teacher, Parent & Administrator Data
Findings – updated annually
National Data Release
• March 24
• Congressional Briefing
• Washington DC
• Top level findings available online
www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_congress.html
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

12. Special Speak Up 2008 Question
“Imagine you are the
President and your #1
education goal is to make
sure every student is
prepared for the jobs and
careers of the future. What
is the one thing you would
do to improve schools?”
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

13. Special Speak Up 2008 Question
“Imagine you are the President and
your #1 education goal is to make
sure every student is prepared for
the jobs and careers of the future.
What is the one thing you would do
to improve schools?”
over 150,000 responses
from students nationwide!
New Speak Up video of students’ ideas
Check it out on YouTube, SchoolTube, our website
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

14. More Speak Up? www.tomorrow.org
Reports such as:
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)
Learning in the 21st Century:
Online Learning
October 2007, Trends Updates 2008 & 2009
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

15. Introducing today’s expert panelists:
Gerry Beimler
Chicago Public Schools
Paul Caputo
North Schuykill School District
Brian Eyer
Digital Harbor High School, Baltimore City
Ryan Imbraile
Patapsco High School and Center of the Arts
Baltimore County Schools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

16. Selected National Data Findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

17. Thank you for the use of the
21st century learning tools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

18. NECC 2009
Who am I? Exercise
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

19. Who am I?
Tech Self – Assessment
(Advanced, Average, Beginner)
Role
Gender
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

20. Who am I? Profile characteristics:
Access to mobile devices:
MP3 player (44%)
Game player (53%) Participates
Laptop (44%) in virtual
reality
Uses Internet for schoolwork environments
research (51%) and takes tests (39%)
online (35%)
Wishes for their ultimate school
Digital media tools (31%)
High tech science tools (39%)
Online tools for organization (35%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

21. Who am I?
3rd Grade Girl – Average Tech Skills
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

22. Meet a 3rd grade girl with average tech skills:
Access to mobile devices:
MP3 player (44%)
Game player (53%) Participates
Laptop (44%) in virtual
reality
Uses Internet for schoolwork environments
research (51%) and takes tests (39%)
online (35%)
Wishes for their ultimate school
Digital media tools (31%)
High tech science tools (39%)
Online tools for organization (35%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

23. Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
America’s K-12 Students
Adopting/adapting technologies for learning
Tech trend setters
Their use predicts widespread acceptance
Out of school use drives in school use
Pace car for others
Teachers ultimately catch up
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

24. Introducing the “Digital Advance Team”
Let’s listen in and learn!
What we are hearing:
Districts are using Speak Up data as input
for decisions on how to effectively
leverage the historic stimulus funds
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

25. National Speak Up 2008 Participation
 K-12 Students 281,500
 Teachers 29,644
 Parents (in English & Spanish) 21,309
 School/District Administrators 3,114
 Schools 4,379
 Districts 868
 States All 50
o Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, AL, IL, MD, FL, NC, NE, WI
About Speak Up Schools:
– 95% public, 3% private, 2% virtual
– 35% urban, 32% suburban, 33% rural
– 45% Title 1 eligible
– 34% majority-minority student population
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

26. Key findings from Speak Up data:
“Digital disconnect” is alive & well:
the gap between how
today’s students learn and
how they live!
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

27. Key findings from Speak Up 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 2009

28. Let’s get to know each other!
Audience Response
How would you assess your own technology
skills compared to your peers?
A. Beginner
B. Average
C. Advanced
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

29. Parents, Teachers, Principals:
What kind of tech user are you?
Self Assessment of Tech Skills
Principals
Beginner
Teachers Average
Advanced
Parents
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

30. Audience Response:
What % of students in 9th grade consider
themselves “advanced tech users?”
a. 7%
b. 22%
c. 71%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

31. Speak Up National Data Findings
Students: Tech Self Assessment
12th
9th Beginner
22% - Advanced Average
6th Advanced
3rd
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

32. How are students using technology for schoolwork?
Besides writing and Internet research, how are
students using technology for schoolwork?
Take online test
Use online textbook
Take online class
Play ed games Gr 9-12
Gr 6-8
Upload to school portal
Gr 3-5
Use MySpace for collaboration K-2
Create ppts/videos
Communicate with others
Access class info
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

33. How satisfied are today’s students
with technology use at their school?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

34. How satisfied are today’s students with
technology use at their school?
Students say:
Not very!
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

35. Besides time, what are the major obstacles
students face using technology at school?
Top responses:
3. School filters and firewalls block websites I need
4. Teachers limit our technology use
5. Too many rules!
• Cannot use my own devices
• Cannot access my communications tools
• Rules that limit use of my school’s
technology
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

36. How schools could make it easier for students to
work electronically?
Top responses:
• Let me use my own laptop, cell phone or
mobile device
• Give me unlimited Internet access
• Let me access my school projects from any
computer – home or at school
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

37. Digital Advance Team Trends
1. The mobile learner
2. It’s a Web 2.0 World
3. “I’ll take that class to go!”
4. The ultimate online textbook
5. Exploring STEM careers
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

38. Featured discussion today
Review new data findings
Leadership in the 21st Century:
The New Visionary Administrator
A collaboration with Blackboard Inc.
Gain new insights
Stimulate new conversations
Engage your participation in Speak Up 2009
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

39. How important is the effective implementation
of instructional technology to student success?
Importance of Tech Use for Student Success
Principals
Extremely Important
Parents Important
Somewhat Important
Teachers
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

40. New research question:
What are the behaviors, values
and aspirations of our nation’s
administrators regarding
technology use and 21st century
learning?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

41. Profile of the administrators:
3,114 Administrators
• School based
• District based
2/3 Female
39% with 11+ years admin experience
51% have a Masters in Education
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

42. Speak Up National Research Project
Key finding:
There is a new cohort emerging of
visionary administrators who share
common behaviors, values & aspirations
for 21st century learning . . .
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

43. Speak Up National Research Project
Key finding:
There is a new cohort emerging of visionary
administrators who share common behaviors,
values & aspirations for 21st century learning
. . and they have more in common
with their students than their peers.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

44. Leadership in the 21st Century:
The New Visionary Administrator
Report Methodology
• Analysis of Speak Up 2007 Data Findings
• Updated with 2008 data – just for you!
• Interviews with 9 Administrators
• Report authored by Karen Henke, Nimble Press
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

45. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

46. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
93% believe that using technology improves
student achievement
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

47. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
93% believe that using technology improves
student achievement
100% say that effective technology use is
important to their school or district mission
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

48. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
More likely to rate their tech skills as
advanced – 51%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

49. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
More likely to rate their tech skills as
advanced – 51%
Twice as likely as their peers to use the
technology – closing the digital disconnect
with their students
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

50. Which of these activities do you do
regularly with technology?
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Email or IM a colleague or parent
Email or IM a student
Adults: Create or listen to videos/podcasts
Students: Create and post videos online
Download music
Read or post blog or wiki entries
Remix content (such as music, video, text)
Play video or online games
Maintain personal website (MySpace/Facebook)
Visionary Administrators Administrators-Other Students (G6-12)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

51. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Almost 100% say tech use within instruction
is a “wake up” issue for them (only 34% of
their peers say so)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

52. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Almost 100% say tech use within instruction
is a “wake up” issue for them (only 34% of
their peers say so)
Believe strongly that the use of mobile
devices in instruction will extend learning
beyond the school day (62% vs. 46%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

53. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
They have higher expectations for pre-service
teachers with technology.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

54. What technology experiences should
pre-service teachers have had upon
certification?
Locate/use digital aides
Incorporate digital
resources
Create podcasts
Nat'l Administrators
Take online class
Visionary
Use Web 2.0 tools
Use online games for
lessons
Teach online class
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

55. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Demonstrate greater intensity around some
of the challenges facing technology within
instruction.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

56. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Challenges?
Not as important to visionaries:
Mix of systems
District or school websites
Student record privacy
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

57. What are the top challenges to implementing
technology at your school or district?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Funding: New 62%
Technologies
58%
Professional Development
49%
Funding: Updates
Evaluating Emerging 42%
Technologies
38%
Assessment:Tech Skills
Visionary Administrators Administrators-Other
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

58. What if you could design the
ultimate school . . . .
what technologies would have the
greatest impact on your learning?
Many districts are looking at this data to
inform stimulus funding decisions
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

59. Audience Response:
What do students say is the #1 tech tool
or service that will impact their learning?
• Digital media tools for creating projects
• Games and virtual simulations
• Personal laptops for each student
• Student access to email and IM at school
• Using mobile devices for learning
• Online classes
• Digital content
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

60. 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 2009

61. 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 2009

62. Designing the ultimate school – the
administrator point of view
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
64%
Laptops
52%
Digital media
29%
Games
35%
Mobile devices
55%
Digital content
39%
Online classes
61%
Email/IM
Visionary Administrators Administrators-Other Students (G6-12)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

63. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Believe their district is doing a good job
preparing students for jobs of the 21st
century
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

64. Speak Up 2009
Report Highlights
Who are these new visionary administrators?
Believe their district is doing a good job
preparing students for jobs of the 21st
century.
Visionaries 62%
Nat’l Administrators 47%
Teachers 42%
Parents 32%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

65. Students: If you were the school principal . . .
Listen to students’ ideas (59%)
Students feel safe at school (58%)
Treat all students equally (57%)
Teachers interested in student success (56%)
Let student earn college credits (53%)
Give students flexibility to work on projects that
interest them (51%)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

66. Recommendations from the
“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

67. Recommendations from the
“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
• Un-tether learning
• New learning spaces
• Social based learning
• Digital resources add relevancy
• Go beyond classroom walls
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

68. Recommendations from the
“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
Learning that is
• Enabled
• Engaging
• Empowered
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

69. Recommendations from the
“Digital Advance Team”
Are we listening?
Learning that is
• Enabled
How do we
• Engaging
get there?
• Empowered
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

70. Introducing our visionary administrators:
Gerry Beimler
Chicago Public Schools
Paul Caputo
North Schuykill School District
Brian Eyer
Digital Harbor High School, Baltimore City
Ryan Imbraile
Patapsco High School and Center of the Arts
Baltimore County Schools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

71. Get ready!
Speak Up 2009
Oct 12 – Dec 18
New online surveys for:
K-12 Students
Teachers
Parents
Administrators
and
Pre-Service Teachers
(new this year!)
(c) Project Tomorrow 2009

72. Thank you!
More data and reports are available on
our website: www.tomorrow.org
Julie Evans
Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org
949-609-4660 x15
Copyright Project Tomorrow 2009.
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 2009