Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies:
Preparing for the Predictions
Lola F. Francis
Joyce Neujahr
Kristin Echtenkamp
Karen Tercho
Teaching, Learning, and Technology (TLT) Committee
Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)
July 1, 2013
Chicago, Illinois
2013 ALA Annual Conference
Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) is a roundtable of the American Library
Association (ALA) and advocates library instruction as a means for developing
competent library and information use as a part of lifelong learning.
LIRT membership represents all types of libraries (academic, public, school, and
special) committed to this goal.
Email to lirt.tlt@gmail.com
Text to 678.667.8805
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Teaching, Learning, and Technology (TLT) Committee
Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)
July 1, 2013
Chicago, Illinois
2013 ALA Annual Conference
Teaching, Learning, and Technology Committee (TLT)
This committee will be responsible for identifying and promoting the use of
technology in library instruction.
Special attention will be given to technologies that enhance learning and can be
easily adapted to a variety of different learning environments.
Activities will include assisting with programs, writing reviews and articles for the
newsletter, and promoting research that relates to our charge.
Liaison with ALA committees and groups with similar interests.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Committee Members
Current Co-chairpersons
Lola Francis (2010-2014)
Ava Iuliano (2011-2013)
New Chairperson or Co-chair
This could be you or someone
you know.
Kristin Echtenkamp (2012-2014)
L. Meghann Kuhlmann (2012-2014), Virtual Member
Jeffrey Lambert (2012-2014)
Corliss Lee (2009-2014)
Joyce Neujahr (2012-2014)
Victoria Lynn Packard (2011-2013)
Elizabeth Psyck (2012-2014), Virtual Member
Eric Resnis (2009-2013), Virtual Member
Sarah I. Smith (2011-2013)
Karen Tercho (2012-2014), Virtual Member
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Voluntary Participation
Socrative
Engage your class using any device. Socrative is a smart
student (attendee) response system that empowers teachers
to engage their classrooms through a series of educational
exercises and games via smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Voluntary Participation
1.Go to m.socrative.com
2.Enter 383893 (room number)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Networking Opportunity
1. If you are sitting at a table where you know everyone, then
switch to a different table and introduce yourself. (You can
take someone you know with you, if that will make it easier
to do.)
2. If you are sitting at table where you don’t know anyone,
then take a moment to introduce yourself to at least one
other person.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Questions
1. What are the current and predicted trends with the use of
technology (mobile devices, apps, gesture-based
computing, gaming, etc.) in education?
2. How are programs being analyzed and evaluated?
3. Who are the learners and what is the learning
environment of the future?
4. What are the concerns and ways to prepare or for which to
think about preparing?
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2012
Fast Track to the Future: The 2012 IBM Tech Trends Report
GigaOM Pro: Mobile Industry 2012 Segment Analysis
Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition
Pew Internet: Younger Americans’ Reading and Library Habits
Pew Internet: How Teens Do Research in the Digital World
Tech2020 Report: 2020 Executive Summary
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
EDUCAUSE (ECAR)
•
•
•
•
195 institutions
100,000+ students worldwide
Study focus
• Students’ perceptions of technology
• How technologies contribute to academic experience
• How technologies contribute to academic achievement
Key Findings
• Blended modalities and engaging learners is a winning combination.
• The time has come to move beyond thing about individual platforms and devices.
• Students believe that technology is critical to academic success and that it plays an
important part in their future accomplishments.
• Students want multiple communication options, and they prefer different modes for
different purposes and audiences.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
GigaOM PRO
“GigaOM Pro gives you insider access to industry insights on emerging markets. Focused
on delivering highly relevant and timely research to the people who need it most, our
analysis, reports, and original research come from the most respected voices in the
industry. Whether you’re beginning to learn about a new market or are an industry
insider, GigaOM Pro address the need for relevant, illuminating insights into the industry’s
most dynamic markets.” (p. 61)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
HORIZON
•
•
•
•
•
•
Research in report jointly conducted by the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the
EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI).
Funded by grant from Hewlett Packard (HP)
International experts in education, technology, and other fields serve as advisory board.
Three global editions: higher education, primary and secondary education, and
museum education
Each report highlights six (6) emerging technologies or practices that are likely to be
adopted within the next five (5) years.
Key Findings
• People expect to be able to work, learn, and study whenever and wherever they want to.
• The technologies we use are increasingly cloud-based, and our notions of IT support are
decentralized.
• The world of work is increasingly collaborative, driving changes in the way student projects
are structured.
• The abundance of resources and relationships made easily accessible via the Internet is
increasingly challenging us to revisit our roles as educators.
• Education paradigm’s are shifting to include online learning, hybrid learning and collaborative
models.
• There is a new emphasis in the classroom on more challenge-based and active learning.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
IBM Center for Applied Insights
•
•
•
•
•
1,200 professionals who make technology decisions for their organizations
• 16 different industries
• 13 countries
250 academics (same 13 countries)
450 students (same 13 countries)
Study focus
• To better understand how technology trends are impacting future IT professionals.
Key Findings
• Four (4) pivotal technologies
• Mobile technology
• business analytics
• cloud computing
• social business
• IT skill shortages
• Security concerns are increasing
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
PEW: Library Habits Survey
“The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project has taken a special look at
readers between the ages of 16 and 29 because interest in them is especially high in the
library world and the publishing world. This report examines how they encounter and
consume books in different formats. It flows out of a larger effort to assess the reading
habits of all Americans ages 16 and older as e-books change the reading landscape and
the borrowing services of libraries.”
Study Findings:
• 83% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 29 read a book in the past year.
• Among Americans who read e-books, those under age 30 are more likely to read their
e-books on a cell phone (41%) or computer(55%) than on an e-book reader(23%) or
tablet(16%).
• Overall, 47% of younger Americans read long-form e-content such as books,
magazines or newspapers.
• Texas A & M Sustainability Initiative
• 60% of Americans under age 30 used the library in the past year.
• Many of these young readers do not know they can borrow an e-book from a library,
and a majority of them express the wish they could do so on pre-loaded e-readers.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
PEW: Library Habits Survey
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Research Publications: Reports
PEW: Research Skills Report
•
•
•
Data collection was conducted in two phases
• Phase one (focus-groups)
• Phase two (online survey)
Study focus
• The goal of these discussions was to hear teachers and students talk about, in their own
words, the different ways they feel digital technologies such as the internet, search
engines, social media, and cell phones are shaping students’ research and writing habits
and skills.
Key findings
•
•
•
•
•
Virtually all (99%) AP and NWP teachers in this study agree with the notion that “the internet
enables students to access a wider range of resources than would otherwise be available,” and 65%
agree that “the internet makes today’s students more self-sufficient researchers.”
At the same time, 76% of teachers surveyed “strongly agree” with the assertion that internet search
engines have conditioned students to expect to be able to find information quickly and easily.
Large majorities also agree with the notion that the amount of information available online today is
overwhelming to most students (83%) and that today’s digital technologies discourage students from
using a wide range of sources when conducting research (71%).
Fewer teachers, but still a majority of this sample (60%), agree with the assertion that today’s
technologies make it harder for students to find credible sources of information.
Given these concerns, it is not surprising that 47% of these teachers strongly agree and another 44%
somewhat believe that courses and content focusing on digital literacy should be incorporated into
every school’s curriculum.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Learner Anecdotal Information
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
What’s Out There Now?
(Image courtesy of http://tech2020.wikispaces.com/2020+Executive+Summary)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
What’s Out There Now?
Library Instruction Tools
Research Skills
• http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searcheducation/index.html
Personalized/customized learning environments
• http://www.cengage.com/mindtap/overview.html
Paradigm Shift
• Collaborative Learning and Assessment
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
What’s Coming?
Library Instruction Tools | Technology
Tech2020
New User Interfaces (gesture-based computing)
• http://research.microsoft.com/enus/um/people/awilson/publications/WilsonICMI2003/ICMI%202003.pdf
• Voice Recognition
Paradigm Shift
• GBL (Game-based learning)
• Mobile
• Virtual
• Holographic
• Robotic
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Organizational Opportunity
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 1
What are the current and predicted trends with the
use of technology (mobile devices, apps, gesturebased computing, gaming, etc.) in education?
SOURCE
ECAR
TREND
Mobile devices
Students: More open educational resources (OERs), simulations or gamebased learning (GBL), more use of course or learning management systems,
and ebooks.
IBM
Mobile technologies, cloud computing, analytics,
and social networks.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 1
What are the current and predicted trends with the
use of technology (mobile devices, apps, gesturebased computing, gaming, etc.) in education?
SOURCE
TREND
GigaOM Pro
HTML5 Apps
Horizon
1 year or less
• Mobile apps
• Tablet computing
2 to 3 years
• Game-Based Learning
• Learning Analytics
4 to 5 years
• Gesture-Based Computing
• Internet of Things
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 1
What are the current and predicted trends with the
use of technology (mobile devices, apps, gesturebased computing, gaming, etc.) in education?
SOURCE
TREND
Pew (reading)
Respondent’s report reading MORE because of eformats and reading MORE items in e-formats.
Pew (research)
“Google”ing
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 1
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 1
What are the current and predicted trends with
the use of technology (mobile devices, apps, gesturebased computing, gaming, etc.) in education?
Interesting facts:
• ECAR reported that in one year’s time, from 2011 to 2012, the number
of student’s using a smartphone for academic purposes nearly doubled,
from 37% to 67%.
• IBM reported that 65% of enterprise respondents to 2012 Tech Trends
report a shortage in next-generation mobile software engineering skills.
• Seventy-five percent of the academics and students polled say that,
primarily because of the slow pace of updating curricula and the cost
involved, their institutions can’t always provide students all the critical
skills they need.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 2
How are programs being analyzed and evaluated?
Evaluation should move away from simplistically counting and recording to a deeper
engagement with the learner and their experiences, perceptions and feelings. This requires
new skills and the development of methodologies that capture the personal learning
experience.
Stages in assessing impact:
1. Choose the intervention
2. Specify the objectives for the intervention
3. Develop success criteria
4. Identify evidence that needs to be collected
5. Select appropriate data collection methods
6. Collect and analyse data.
7. Present results
8. Feed into further developments/changes (i.e. start again)
(Roberts, S. & Weaver, M.)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 2
How are programs being analyzed and evaluated?
•
•
•
•
•
Effective evaluation considers inputs, outputs and outcomes.
Embed the legitimate voice of users into any evaluation.
Early discussions about evaluation during stages of project.
Evaluate for accountability, development and knowledge.
Evaluation should be undertake[n] by multi-professional team of staff
with different perspectives and skills.
• Data collection should be done by multiple methods (surveys, interviews,
focus groups, photographs, etc.).
• Evaluation should be based on individual student experience.
(Roberts, S. & Weaver, M.)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 2
How are programs being analyzed and evaluated?
Definition: Learning analytics is an emerging field in which sophisticated
analytic tools are used to improve learning and education. It draws from,
and is closely tied to, a series of other fields of study including business
intelligence, web analytics, academic analytics, educational data mining,
and action analytics.
Tools
• Homegrown/internal
• Springshare LibAnalytics
• SNAPP
• LOCO-Analyst
• BEESTAR INSIGHT
• Blackboard Analytics
• Moodle Analytics
• LiveText
Techniques
• Heatmapping (Crazy Egg)
• Surveys
• Focus Groups
• Program review plan
• Learner Assessment
• Tests/quizzes
• Projects
• Portfolios
• Simulations
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 3
Who are the learners and what is the learning
environment of the future?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Millennials born between 1982 - 2002
Social rules are not important, individualism is paramount
Fulfillment in helping others, but on their own terms
Often work in groups, they combine their academic and
social lives
More connected to their parents and look to them for
help with decision making
• Have not developed problem solving skills
Instant access to everything and expect immediate
feedback 24/7
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 3
Who are the learners and what is the learning
environment of the future?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Web searching – proceed erratically and make only
limited attempts to evaluate quality or validity
Unclear how they determine the validity of information
gathered, or whether or not validity is even a concern
They know how to search, but don’t believe there is an
objective standard to evaluate information
Non-critical view of information
Research about the causes of this perception should help
identify effective strategies in teaching them
Understanding their lifestyle is key to developing a robust
service program to engage and support them
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 3
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 3
#LirtTLT
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 3
Who are the learners and what is the learning
environment of the future?
Learning Environment
• Open educational resources: MIT
• “Students continue to express an interest in learning environments that blend
technology with face-to-face instruction”. (ECAR)
• “Students expect their instructors to use technology to engage them in the
learning process, and instructors are responding”. (ECAR)
• “Students want access to academic progress information and course material
via their mobile devices, and institutions deliver”. (ECAR)
• “Students report that basic technologies have the greatest impact on their
success”. (ECAR)
• “Technology training and skill development for students is better than new,
more, or “better” technology. (ECAR)
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 4
What are the concerns and ways to prepare or for
which to think about preparing?
ECAR Recommendations
1. Continue to support blended learning environments.
2. Don’t underestimate the importance of technology to students.
3. Look to emerging or established leaders (other institutions, other
countries, other industries) for strategies.
4. Develop a plan to learn about your students’ technology profile.
5. Work with faculty to experiment with open educational resources and
game-based learning opportunities.
6. Develop mobile IT strategies that allow for cross-platform compatibility.
7. Prioritize the development or improvement of mobile-friendly resources.
8. Focus on training/skill building opportunities for students and
professional development opportunities for faculty (and staff).
9. Don’t assume all students know how to use the technology they own as
an academic tool.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 4
What are the concerns and ways to prepare or for
which to think about preparing?
GigaOM Pro Recommendations
Trends to Watch
• Smartphones
• Video and connected home
• HTLM5
Companies to Watch
• Apple and Samsung
• Microsoft and Nokia
• Google
• Research In Motion (RIM)
• Hewlett-Packard
• Amazon
• GetJar
• MVNOs
• Hybrid Network Operators
• Non-cellular mobile gadgets
Further Reading
• A global mobile handset
forecast 2011-2015
• Research In Motion: future
scenarios and its likely fate
• App discovery: thinking
outside the search box
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 4
What are the concerns and ways to prepare or for
which to think about preparing?
Horizon Annual Reports
• Keep your eye on the reports and make comparisons between them.
• Look at and compare the higher education and primary and secondary
editions.
Challenges
• Economic pressures and new models of education are bringing
unprecedented competition to the traditional models of higher education.
• Appropriate metrics of evaluation lag the emergence of new scholarly forms
of authoring.
• Institutional barriers present formidable challenges to moving forward in a
constructive way with emerging technologies.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Literature Review Key Findings: Question 4
What are the concerns and ways to prepare or for
which to think about preparing?
IBM Recommendations
• Watch the “pacesetters”.
• Position yourself to be able to take opportunities when they appear.
• Get involved—partner with for-profit organizations.
Pew Recommendations
• Ebooks and ebook devices
• Do more outreach
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Summary
• Not-for-profit and for-profit institutions/organizations will continue to
implement creative methods for recruiting and retention.
• Cutting-edge technologies should not be incorporated into the learning
environment just for the sake of having them.
• Organizations should familiarize and update professionals with emerging
technologies and generate plans for using those technologies efficiently and
effectively prior to the arrival of those technologies—proactive vs. reactive.
• Learners expect learning to be personalized and customized.
• Technology will continue to evolve.
• Keep your eye on the “pacesetters”.
• Use social media tools to stay up-to-date on technology and learning trends
by following organizations like Horizon, Educause, and Pew.
• Students want technology used to engage them in their studies.
• Students continue to want some kind of face-to-face or human connection.
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Questions & Responses
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Future Research
1. Learning characteristics of the growing population of non-traditional
students.
2. K-12 distance education students.
3. Personalized and customizable learning and learning environments.
4. What are other industries doing?
5. What are other countries doing?
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
References
ECAR. (2012). ECAR study of undergraduate students and information technology,
2012. Retrieved from net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERS1208/ ERS1208.pdf
Elias, T. (2011). Learning analytics: Definitions, processes and potential.
Gibbs, C., Kerton, D., Lamberth, L., Paolini, M., & Seals, T. (2012). Mobile industry
2012 segment analysis. Retrieved from http://pro.gigaom.com/2012/09/
mobile-industry-2012-segment-analysis/
Johnson, L., Adams, S. & Cummings, M. (2012). The NMC horizon report: 2012
higher education edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Lo, J., Wyble, C., & Hupfer, S. (2012). Fast track to the future: The 2012 tech trends
report. Retrieved from http://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en
/xie12346usen/XIE12346USEN.PDF
Purcell, K. , Rainie, L., Heaps, A., Buchanan,J., Friedrich,L. , Jacklin, A., Chen, C. & Zickuhr, K.
(2012). How teens do research in the digital world. Retrieved from
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Student-Research/Summary-ofFindings.aspx
Roberts, S., & Weaver, M. (2006). Spaces for learners and learning: Evaluating the
impact of technology-rich learning spaces. New Review Of Academic
Librarianship, 12(2), 95-107.
Zickuhr, K., Rainie, L., Purcell, K., Madden, M. & Brenner, J. (2012). Younger
Americans’ reading and library habits. Retrieved from
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/10/23/younger-americans- reading-andlibrary-habits/
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions
Contact Information
Lola Francis
ilolafrancis@yahoo.com
Joyce Neujahr
Director of Patron Services
University of Nebraska at Omaha
jneujahr@unomaha.edu
Kristin Echtenkamp
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Northern State University
Kristin.echtenkamp@northern.edu
Karen Tercho
Bryan College
karen.tercho@bryanuniversity.edu
Tomorrow’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Technologies: Preparing for the Predictions