2. Listening to the Voices of Our Future
National Data Findings from Speak Up 2006
Julie Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Project Tomorrow
Session 3-04 / March 23, 2007

3. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents
• Annual national research project

Online surveys

Convenience sampling –open for all K-12 schools
• Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations
 Students, Teachers, Parents (new!)
• Inform policies & programs

Analysis and reporting

Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way!
• Since 2003:

795,000 K-12 students

48,000 teachers

15,000 parents

10,000 schools – all 50 states, DC + DOD schools

4. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
• National initiative of Project Tomorrow, a national
education nonprofit organization
• Our programs and initiatives:

Science Docent Program

Regional Innovation Initiative with high tech industry

Student Voices Resource Center

NSF National Science Digital Library Project
TestDrive

Speak Up National Research Project

5. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
2006 Sponsors & Partners
Advanced Network & Services, Inc.
And 100+ national and regional nonprofit partners

6. Let’s talk about . . .
Context
Expectations
Trends

7. You just received this text message:
dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning
Bt lts Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU
ReD 2 tlk nw f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao
What is your next action?

8. dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning Bt lts
Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU ReD 2 tlk nw
f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao
What is your next action?
1. Stand up
2. Wave your hand
3. Show us your cell phone
4. I don’t have a clue – I am over 21!

9. Translation please!
dis rm S filD W BNFs of A3 lerning Bt lts
Nt B 404 bout d kdz POV RU ReD 2 tlk nw
f ys ~~~ yr h& ciao
This room is filled with big name fans of
anytime, anywhere, anyplace learning.
But let’s not be clueless about the kids’
point of view. Are you ready to talk now?
If yes, wave your hand. Goodbye.

10. Let’s add some more context:
K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity*
1994 – 3%
1996 – 14%
1998 – 51%
2000 – 77%
2002 – 92%
* NCES data

11. K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%
1998 – 51%
2000 – 77%
2002 – 92%

12. K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%: Your 1st
Year Students
1998 – 51%
2000 – 77%
2002 – 92%

13. K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%: Your 1st
Year Students
1998 – 51%: 10th
Grade
2000 – 77%
2002 – 92%

14. K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%: Your 1st
Year Students
1998 – 51%: 10th
Grade
2000 – 77%: 8th
Grade
2002 – 92%

15. K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%: Your 1st
Year Students
1998 – 51%: 10th
Grade now
2000 – 77%: 8th
Grade now
2002 – 92%: 6th
Grade now

16. Context:
K-12 Classroom Internet Connectivity
2nd
Graders – where are they now?
1994 – 3%: Your 3rd
Year Students
1996 – 14%: Your 1st
Year Students
1998 – 51%: 10th
Grade now
2000 – 77%: 8th
Grade now
2002 – 92%: 6th
Grade now
Who are the real
digital natives?
Are we ready for
those natives?

17. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
This year’s survey question themes:
Learning & Teaching with Technology
21st
Century Skills
Communications, Connections & Self-Expression
Math & Science Instruction
Global Collaborations
Competitiveness & Workforce Preparedness
Designing Schools of the Future
What can we learn about today’s learners to inform
your work today & tomorrow?

18. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
Participation Overview:
232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents
Students: Elementary (pre K-Gr 5) – 43%
Middle School (Gr 6-8) – 35%
High School (Gr 9-12) – 21%
50% Girls – 50% Boys
88% say they have a computer @ home
Teachers: 80% - Classroom assignment
36% - 4 to 15 years experience
42% - have Masters’ Degree
Parents: 29% member of a PTA/PTO/Booster Club
13% volunteer regularly @ school

19. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
Participation Overview:
All 50 states, DC, Canada, Mexico & American DOD schools
Top 10 states: TX, IL, CA, MD, AL, NC, FL, MA, VA, MI
School demographics*: 2800 schools
96% public schools – 4% private schools
Urban (1/3) Rural (1/3) Suburban (1/3)
% of schools that are Title 1 eligible = 41%
% of schools w/majority minority
school population = 43%

20. Today’s learners and . . .
Devices & Tools
Uses of Technology
Value of Technology Skills
Schools of the Future

21. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
Preliminary key findings from the student data:
• Communications is #1
• Online connected-ness creating new definition of
“friends”
• Online safety & privacy are not top student concerns
• Students say: “Make science & math relevant!”
• Youngest learners are very tech sophisticated
• Continued disconnect between students & adults

22. Technology Devices & Tools – besides
computers
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Cell Phones MP3 Game Players
K-2
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-12

23. Using Technology for Schoolwork
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Research Keyboarding Presentations Tests
K-2
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-8
Gr 9-12

24. Using Technology for Schoolwork
Email teachers – 25%
Use online text books – 22%
Email – IM classmate about a project – 40%
Check on a grade – 22%
Take an online class – 9%

25. Using Technology for Schoolwork –
Online learning
35% of students Gr 6-12 interested in taking an online
class
Why?
1. To get extra help in a subject area
2. To take a class not offered
3. To work at one’s own pace
4. To get college credit – AP class
5. Interest in the topic
What subject areas? Math, Foreign Language

26. Using Technology for Schoolwork – Assessment
How to show what you know?
• Tests – online and bubble
• Projects
• Presentations & portfolios
What about tests?

Too much

Worrying a lot

Need to get into college

Need to do well in college

27. Technology Use – Outside of School
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Email/IM Games Music MySpace
K-2
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-8
Gr 9-12

28. Technology Use – Communications
Favorite communications tool?
Email
IM
Cell phone for talking
Cell phone for texting

29. Technology Use – Communications
Favorite communications tool?
Email
IM
Cell phone for talking
Favorite: 36% of students Grades 6-12
Daily use: 73% Gr 9-12
57% Gr 6-8
42% Gr 3-5

30. Technology Use – Connected-ness
Are students using online tools to connect with other
students?
 Connecting with students in the US - 23%
 Connecting with students around the world - 17%
Online friends:

31. Technology Use – Connected-ness
Are students using online tools to connect with other
students?
 Connecting with students in the US - 23%
 Connecting with students around the world - 17%
Online friends:
 44% connect with 20+ online friends
monthly
 Never met 34% of those friends

32. Technology Use – Connected-ness
Are students using online tools to connect with other
students?
 Connecting with students in the US - 23%
 Connecting with students around the world - 17%
Online friends:
 44% connect with 20+ online friends monthly
 Never met 34% of those friends
Redefining what is a “friend”

33. Technology Use – Connected-ness
Make new friends – 34%
Blog (create/post) – 22%
Sharing writings online – 16%
Create a podcast – 6%
Posted a video – 13%
MySpace page – 51%
Worked on a group project – 24%
Play online games – 35%
Shared music – 15%

34. Technology Use – Connected-ness
Make new friends – 34%
Blog (create/post) – 22%
Sharing writings online – 16%
Create a podcast – 6%
Posted a video – 13%
MySpace page – 51%
Worked on a group project – 24%
Play online games – 35%
Shared music – 15%
Go to websites for TV shows/Movies:
25% of students K-12

35. Value of Good Tech Skills : Top responses
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Get a job College
success
World
awareness
Do well in
school
Gr 3-5
Gr 6-8
Gr 9-12

36. Math & Science in K-12 schools:
how today’s students want to learn
•Apply math/science to solve real world problems
•Visit places where science happens
•Multimedia and interactive simulations
•Use equipment and tools
•Solve math puzzles
•Talk to scientists and mathematicians
•Learn math/science that will help me with a job
•All kinds of technology

37. Math & Science in K-12 schools:
how today’s students want to learn
•Apply math/science to solve real world problems
•Visit places where science happens
•Multimedia and interactive simulations
•Use equipment and tools
•Solve math puzzles
•Talk to scientists and mathematicians
•Learn math/science that will help me with a job
•All kinds of technology
Add relevance to the rigor!

38. Students and their interest in careers in science,
math, technology and engineering?
Not interested in a STEM Career
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
K-2 Gr 3-5 Gr 6-8 Gr 9-12
Students

39. Schools Today : Obstacles to Using Technology
Grades 3-5
Access issues:
• Lack of computers
• Inconvenient locations
• Slow Internet access
Grades 6-12
Control issues:
• Rules against tech tools
• Teachers control when/where use
• School filters

40. Designing K-12 Schools of the Future
Students K-12: Laptop for every student
Other ideas (from students Gr 6-12):

Use cell phones/MP3 players/Handhelds – 46%

Use email/IM/blogs – 45%

Digital moviemaking equipment – 45%

Interactive whiteboards – 44%

Online textbooks – 39%

Online classes - 35%

Lessons/assignments on my iPod – 34%

41. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
Key findings from the teacher data:
Impact of technology – “teaching & instructional support”
Time is still the #1 obstacle to using tech more in school
(Not enough time for science either)
Online safety & privacy are top concerns for student tech
use
Teachers embracing email as key tool for parent
communications
Good impact with school based professional development
Majority don’t believe schools are doing a good job
preparing kids for 21st century

42. What do K-12 teachers believe about the value of
technology for teaching and learning?
Top vote getters:
Access to more accurate information – 64%
Richer lesson plans – 53%
Better able to engage students – 52%
Meet varying needs of students – 48%
Better able to assess student progress – 35%
“Has technology enhanced student
performance & achievement?”

43. What do teachers believe about the value of
technology for teaching and learning?
Top vote getters:
Access to more accurate information – 64%
Richer lesson plans – 53%
Better able to engage students – 52%
Meet varying needs of students – 48%
Better able to assess student progress – 35%
“Has technology enhanced student
performance & achievement?”
75% say yes: student engagement in learning

44. Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006
Key findings from the parent data:
Satisfaction with school technology? Mixed results.
Want school info “pushed” out via email
Online safety & privacy top concerns for student tech use
Support students having cell phones @ school
Value math & science for all students
• Real concern about global job competition & getting
into a good college
Majority do not believe schools are doing good job
preparing kids for 21st century

45. From the parent & teacher data . . .
Student Tech Use Concerns
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Gr 6-12 Students Teachers Parents
Cyberbullying
Privacy
Spam
Bad websites
Digital equity
Online cheating
Girls & Tech
Predators
Too much time

46. From the parent & teacher data . . .
How well is your school doing in
preparing your children/students to
compete for the jobs and careers of the
21st century?
Response “Yes”
Parents – 48%
Teachers – 47%

47. From the parent & teacher data . . .
How well is your school doing in
preparing your children/students to
compete for the jobs and careers of the
21st century?
Response “Yes”
Parents – 48%
Teachers – 47%
Over 50% of
parents and
teachers believe
their schools
are not
doing a good job.

48. Trends to watch –
as the real digital natives go to college!
Spectrum of digital native-ness
New communications devices and tools
Online learning with online tools
Connecting without boundaries
Technology as tool – not fad or fun
Inclusion of student ideas in planning

49. Speak Up : Next steps
Briefings & Conferences
National Report
More analysis - Customized reports
Special Focus Reports – sampling of topics:
• 21st century skills
• Online learning
• Global collaborations
• Communications and self-expression
Speak Up 2007 – October 1, 2007

50. Thank you!
Julie Evans
Chief Executive Officer
949-609-4660
jevans@Tomorrow.org

51. “Listening to the Voices of Our Future”
CAMEX 2007 Session 3-04
Speak Up 2006 for Students, Teachers and Parents
Copyright Project Tomorrow 2007.
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.