Moving Science Education Into the Networked World Sam J. Zigrossi Program Director Charles A. Dana Center The University of Texas at Austin samz@mail.utexas.edu www.utdanacenter.org CAST November 2007 The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 1 Purpose Become a leader/supporter in the “wave of reconstituting education for the 21st century!” The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 2 My perspective is influenced by my background Born in 1941 of Italian immigrants First in the family to attend college Taught high school math and physics Earned MS in Educational Administration (Algebra dissertation) IBM career of 29 years (MBA) • IBM’s interface with public education Served on two state panels for Texas education Adjunct professor in business school—25 years Charles A. Dana Center for 10 years The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 3 Format of the presentation Review each decade from 1940 to 2007 • Major events of the decade • The drivers of the economy and society • Character of math and science teaching Some perspectives The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 4 Events The 1940s • Ending of the war—”The Bomb” • Women move into the workforce in large numbers due to the war • Thousands of servicemen return, get educated, and fuel the greatest economic growth period (GI Bill) • Transistor invented • Jackie Robinson becomes first black man to play major league baseball • Average annual salary: $2,992 • Labor force male:female ratio is 5:2 • A loaf of bread cost $0.14 The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 5 The 1940s Drivers of the economy & society Industrialization increased from war effort Number of college graduates increase from returning servicemen USA is the world’s largest manufacturing engine Exports and rebuilding of Europe First computer ENIAC—first electronic calculator (18,000 vacuum tubes) Economy begins to grow in late 1940s The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 6 The 1940s Character of math & science teaching A select few took Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, and Physics (~15%) Math and science teaching based on college teaching pedagogy Textbook-driven, lecture, homework Majority of students took “Biology Derivative” courses and basic arithmetic Education model based on the Industrial Revolution model The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 7 The 1950s Events • Industrial revolution is maturing, moving into the service economy • Nuclear applications begin • First cake mix introduced • Drive-In movies • Automobile opens up travel • Digital programming of computers • U.S. is greatest industrial nation—no other country even comes close The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 8 The 1950s Drivers of the economy & society Integrated circuit invented Transcontinental TV begins McCarthy hearings; Communism Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a public bus Sputnik—First satellite orbits the earth US launches satellite Explorer I Economic expansion is significant Radio is prime information and entertainment medium in the home Salk vaccine developed to halt polio epidemic The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 9 The 1950s Character of education and of math & science teaching “Separate but Equal” education is challenged Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, U.S. Supreme Court. Decision: "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." Math and science teaching still much the same as it was in the 1940s Higher level math and science courses available only for the brightest students. Traditional teaching— whole group Sputnik causes the country to focus on mathematics and science education, many people have ideas about what to change—a great amount of rhetoric. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 10 The 1960s Events • Vietnam war continues • Civil Rights movement becomes a focal point of society • Civil Rights Act of 1964 • John Glenn orbits the earth 3 times • NASA established • TI handheld calculator: $2,500 • Bay of Pigs & Cuban missile crisis • JFK assassinated The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 11 The 1960s Drivers of the economy & society Space research and engineering Apollo program Building of USA infrastructure Consumer products • TV in most homes Most products American-made Computers making significant inroads into business and government—IBM, HP, Cray, Apple, space program Computer Science emerges as a discipline TV is main medium in home for entertainment and news (3 to 5 channels) The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 12 The 1960s Character of math & science teaching “New Math” introduced into schools via National Science Foundation. Focus on concepts, set theory, functions, various number bases and diagrams Public and teachers rebel and go back to traditional teaching of mathematics Science education gets attention—some resources, but little change Much rhetoric about improving schools Integration begins in public schools ~40% of students graduate from high school The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 13 The 1970s Events • • • • • Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision School-sponsored prayer unconstitutional Impeachment proceedings for President Nixon Vietnam War divides the country Affirmative action becomes a key consideration for business in hiring • “Glass ceiling” concept is popularized The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 14 The 1970s Drivers of the economy & society Travel—jumbo jets Genetic engineering First “test tube” baby born Intel’s first microprocessor Apollo 18 and USSR’s Soyuz 19 dock together in space Entertainment—introduction of VCRs First Star Wars movie. The Godfather, Jaws, American Graffiti, Grease Significant stock market decline Oil shortage The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 15 The 1970s Character of education & of science teaching School integration is in full swing. The federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act is passed (1975; now called Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—IDEA). Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) becomes part of business training—that is, the next phase of programmed instruction. Relatively little has changed in teaching science since the 1960s—some believe education lost the impetus of the 1960s. There is significant rhetoric about public education. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 16 The 1980s Events • • • • • • • • Business hostile takeovers and mega-mergers AIDS becomes a significant issue. Berlin Wall comes down. Buying on credit becomes the norm. Rescue mission to Iran fails. First Space Shuttle—Columbia—orbits Earth. U. S. Hockey Team beats Soviet Union team. Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to U.S. Supreme Court. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 17 The 1980s Drivers of the economy & society Personal Computers become legitimate tools in business. “Microsoft Disk Operating System (MSDOS)” introduced by IBM. Imports gaining large market share in automobiles and consumer electronics. Inflation 13+%—Prime rate 21% Internet opens up to selected groups The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 18 The 1980s Character of education A Nation at Risk report: “If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves. We have even squandered the gains in student achievement made in the wake of the Sputnik challenge. Moreover, we have dismantled essential support systems which helped make those gains possible. We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament.” The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 19 The 1980s Character of science teaching Reform is beginning in many states • Standards, state assessments, accountability Stand and Deliver—Jaime Escalante’s work at Garfield High School Significant rhetoric about public education National Science Board report on precollege education in math, science and technology—”The nation that dramatically and boldly led the world into the age of technology is failing to provide its own children with the intellectual tools needed for the 21st century.” • We continue to lead due to our best students and our universities. • What is needed is a new set of “basics”— communications, problem solving, technology literacy. The teaching of math and science in some states is beginning to be based on a set of standards—pedagogy changes from traditional modes. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 20 The 1990s Events • • • • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Brady Bill—handgun control Persian Gulf War Social security, gun control, and health care are significant issues • Famous trials—Rodney King; O. J. Simpson • Columbine High School shooting The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 21 The 1990s Drivers of the economy & society World Wide Web grew from 2 million to 100 million users (assimilation of computer technology begins). Imports continue to make gains. Out-sourcing of jobs Importing skills—H1-B Visa program Stock market decline Cell phones becoming a “must” for everyone Medical technology is racing, with many new applications and popular use of CAT scans, artificial pacemakers, less invasive surgeries—Physicians’ jobs and health care change dramatically. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 22 The 1990s Character of education The decade of brain research: •Previous research— research—cognition and behavior •New research— research—cognitive thinking styles, preference for sense/senses, personality/emotional factors, environmental & emotional factors, physiology/genetics, physical health, comfort and developmental stages •The brain is a malleable organ Governors’ Governors’ Education Summit— Summit—The US will be first in math and science by 2000. (More rhetoric.) President Clinton: "We know, purely and simply, that every single child must have access to a computer, must understand it, must have access to good software and good teachers and to the Internet, so that every person will have the opportunity to make the most of his or her own life." (More rhetoric.) The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 23 The 1990s Character of science teaching Standards-based curriculum becoming the norm The “wars”—Direct vs. conceptual; evolution The teaching of science changes, with allocated labs, the introduction of technology, and the use of more manipulatives and experiences with nature. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 24 The 1990s Character of education 83% of students graduate from high school. Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distance education Year-round school Dual or concurrent credit School-to-work and Tech Prep Reforms taking place—standards-based education, beginning in early grades The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 25 The 1990s Character of math & science teaching Majority of students taking Biology, some Chemistry, and Physics with Algebra and Geometry. Handheld calculators introduced in significant numbers in schools. Education ideology wars create confusion among educators and public. Ritalin drug of choice for ADD/ADHD. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 26 The 2000s Events • Communications integration, common use of cell phones, Internet, and digital TV • Genetic engineering • Fossil fuels demand is outstripping supply • 9/11—war on terrorism • $100 in 1940 is same as $1,322 today • Average annual salary is $37,000, vs. $2,992 in 1940. • Labor force male:female ratio is 1:1 vs. 5:2 in 1940. • Loaf of bread costs $1.00, vs. $0.14 in 1940. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 27 The 2000s Drivers of the economy & society Consumer spending is key to economy. Housing sector is key element. New communications technologies Oil prices steadily increasing. Social issues revolve around Social Security, education, personal security, and health care. Iraq War and peacekeeping mission The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 28 The 2000s Character of math & science teaching Math and science teaching has not changed much from the 1990s. 2003 task force on education • U.S. 4th-graders competitive internationally • U.S. 8th-graders lose 40 points and rate as average • U.S. 12th-graders are at the very bottom in rankings • More rhetoric. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 29 The 2000s Character of science teaching 21st Century Summit: What students need: • Digital-age literacy Literacy in all technologies • Effective communications Inventive thinking Problem solving using tools High productivity Collaborate Interactive Social responsibility The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin Planning Use of tools Produce products 30 Some perspectives Americans have wanted schools to serve different and often contradictory purposes for their own children. • To socialize them to be obedient, yet to teach them to be critical thinkers. • To pass on the best academic knowledge that the past has to offer, yet also to teach marketable and practical skills. • To cultivate cooperation, yet to teach students to compete with one another in school and in later life. • To stress basic skills, but also to encourage creativity and higher-order thinking skills. • To focus on academic “basics,” yet to permit a wide range of choices in courses. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 31 Some perspectives How fast is technology moving? • • • • 38 years for radio to get to 50 million users 13 years for TV to get to 50 million users 16 years for PCs to get to 50 million users 4 years for Internet to get to 50 million users Life expectation has gone from 62 in 1940 to 82 for women by 2007. Robots operating on humans today!! The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 32 Some perspectives 20th century had many education reforms: • • • • • • New American Schools Accelerated Schools Basic Education Engaged Learning Atlas Success for All More Rhetoric! Major barriers: Essential Schools America’s Choice Direct Instruction Purpose Centered Co-NECT ???????????? • 3 million teachers, 50 million students • Governance The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 33 Some perspectives In the 1940s, science teaching was based on textbooks and chalkboards—the “Industrial Model.” In 2007, science teaching is based on ??? • • • • • • • Textbooks??? Chalkboards / whiteboards??? Technology??? Laboratory investigations Conceptual Understanding??? Standards?????? What???????? Have we changed enough to reflect the changes that occurred in society to meet society’s needs? I don’t think so. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 34 Now entering the future Be prepared to change. Why? The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 35 The information age is about to really begin to accelerate Big Technologies Need Infrastructures Technology patented Infrastructure begun Steam engine (1698) Railway (1825) Electric dynamo (1871) Power grid (1908) Computer (1946) World Wide Web (1994) The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 36 Three stages of technological development First 25 years—Introduction (or infancy). The technology is economically nonproductive. Second 25 years—Development (or adolescence). The technology is economically counterproductive. Third 25 years—Assimilation (or maturity). The technology is economically hyperproductive. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 37 Information revelation “It’s no secret that information technology alone is not enough. Yet many organizations continue to buy IT—and many (of us) continue to sell IT—that way. Productivity is not embedded in the software code! Business improvement does NOT come in a box! Technology requires changes in the way humans work, yet organizations continue to inject technology without making any of the necessary changes. “Why? Because it is easier to write a check than it is to rethink the way you work.” —Anne M. Mulcahy, CEO and Chairman, Xerox Corporation 5/2003 The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 38 So what can we expect in the next 20 years? Health care? E-learning Mobile computing Energy? Jobs? The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 39 Some perspectives Change Society Public Education Time The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 40 Some perspectives As a profession, we lack vision of where we need to go. We are victims of society, government, unenlightened school leadership, and OURSELVES!! The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 41 Some perspectives How do we start????? Start simple and then progress to the complex. Let’s look at the research— The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 42 Some perspectives The essentials for improving student achievement include: • All students must have access to the same viable curriculum in every classroom—”guaranteed” • High-yield instructional strategies have significant effects on student achievement. • Teachers must collaborate to strengthen student achievement—we are all in this together: let’s build a system!! • Two key developmental times for large acquisitions of learning (“Neurogenesis”) Infancy to elementary school Adolescence • Learning rates related to level of stimulation • Use technology as a building block for instruction, not as an add-on. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 43 Conclusions Is our current Industrial Model of Education what we need in the 21st Century? NO!!!! Let’s all start looking at new ways of doing things. I believe you have many of the answers, but need to have the opportunity and responsibility to begin to revolutionize the teaching of science. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 44 Some perspectives Why do it? • For our next generations of leaders, workers, members of society • To maintain our economic leadership and way of life • The next generation is our “kids” who are in school now!! • For my granddaughter!! The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 45 Conclusion Join me and become a leader/supporter in the “wave of reconstituting education for the 21st century”! The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin 46 Moving Science Education into the 21st Century Sam J. Zigrossi Program Director Charles A. Dana Center The University of Texas at Austin samz@mail.utexas.edu www.utdanacenter.org The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 47 Did you know . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 48 Sometimes size does matter. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 49 If you’re one in a million in China . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 50 There are 1,300 people just like you. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 51 In India, there are 1,100 people just like you. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 52 The 25% of the population in China with the highest IQs ... The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 53 Is greater than the total population of North America. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 54 In India, it’s the top 28%. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 55 Translation for teachers: These countries have more honors kids than we have total kids. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 56 Did you know . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 57 China will soon become the number one Englishspeaking country in the world. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 58 If you took every single job in the U.S. today and shipped it to China . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 59 China would still have a labor surplus. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 60 During the course of this 8-minute presentation . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 61 • 60 babies will be born in the U.S. • 244 babies will be born in China. • 351 babies will be born in India. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 62 The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have had 10 to 14 jobs . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 63 By the age of 38. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 64 According to the U.S. Department of Labor . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 65 1 out of 4 workers today is working for a company they have been employed by for less than one year. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 66 More than 1 out of 2 are working for a company they have worked for for fewer than five years. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 67 According to former Secretary of Education Richard Riley . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 68 The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn’t exist in 2004. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 69 We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 70 Using technologies that haven’t been invented . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 71 To solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 72 Name this country . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 73 • Richest in the world • Largest military • Center of world business and finance • Strongest education system • World center of innovation and invention • Currency the world standard of value • Highest standard of living The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 74 England. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 75 In 1900. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 76 Did you know . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 77 th 20 The U.S. is in the world in broadband Internet penetration. (Luxembourg just passed us.) The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 78 In 2002 alone Nintendo invested more than $140 million in research and development. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 79 The U.S. Federal Government spent less than half as much on research and innovation in education. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 80 One out of every 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met online. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 81 There are over 100 million registered users of MySpace (August 2006). The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 82 The average MySpace page is visited 30 times a day. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 83 Did you know . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 84 We are living in exponential times. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 85 Each month, there are over 2.7 billion searches performed on Google. In August 2007 there were 37.1 billion searches on Google sites, including 5 billion searches on YouTube. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 86 To whom were these questions addressed B. G. (Before Google)? The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 87 The number of text messages sent and received each day exceeds the population of the planet. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 88 There are about 540,000 words in the English language . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 89 About 5 times as many as during Shakespeare’s time. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 90 More than 3,000 new books are published . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 91 Daily. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 92 It’s estimated that a week’s worth of the New York Times . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 93 Contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 94 It’s estimated that 40 exabytes (that’s 4.0 x 1019) of unique new information will be generated worldwide this year. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 95 That’s estimated to be more than in the previous 5,000 years. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 96 The amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 97 It’s predicted to double every 72 hours by 2010. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 98 Third-generation fiber optics have recently been separately tested by NEC and Alcatel . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 99 That push 10 trillion bits per second down one strand of fiber. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 100 That’s 1,900 CDs or 150 million simultaneous phone calls every second. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 101 That speed is currently tripling about every 6 months and is expected to do so for at least the next 20 years. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 102 The fiber is already there. They’re just improving the switches on the ends. Which means the marginal cost of these improvements is effectively $0. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 103 Predictions are that e-paper will be cheaper than real paper. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 104 47 million laptops were shipped worldwide last year. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 105 The $100 laptop project is expecting to ship between 50 and 100 million laptops a year to children in underdeveloped countries. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 106 Predictions are that by 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computation capability of the human brain . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 107 And by 2023, a $1,000 computer will exceed the computation capability of the human brain . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 108 First-grader Abby will be just 23 years old and beginning her (first) career . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 109 And while it’s hard to make technical predictions further out than about 15 years. . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 110 Predictions are that by 2049 a $1,000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the human race. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 111 What does it all mean? The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 112 Shift Happens. The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 113 Now you know . . . The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Tex as at Austin 114