Voices of Experience:
Top Ten Tips for Online
Learning Environments
NECC 2008
Julie Evans & Shana Glenzer
July 1, 2008
Our discussion today:
Review new Speak Up data findings
Gain new insights from our expert panel
Stimulate new conversations
Create our Top Ten Tips list
Engage your participation in Speak Up 08
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
What is Speak Up?
•
Annual national research project
•
Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations
•
Inform policies & programs
•
5 years of empowering authentic voices – since 2003:
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Online surveys and focus groups
Open for all K-12 schools
Schools/districts get their own data for planning and budgeting
Students, Teachers, Parents and School Leaders
Analysis and reporting – national reports
Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way!
1.1 million K-12 students
74,000 teachers
34,000 parents
3,200 school leaders
14,000 schools – from all 50 states, DC, American military base schools,
Canada, Mexico, Australia
1.2 million respondents
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up is facilitated annually by
Project Tomorrow
(formerly known as NetDay)
About Project Tomorrow:
A national education nonprofit organization providing
leadership, research and programming to support science,
math and technology education in America’s schools
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
What Is Speak Up?
Speak Up survey question themes:
– Learning & Teaching with Technology
– Web 2.0 / Web 3.0 in Education
– 21st Century Skills
– Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness
– Emerging Technologies in the Classroom
• Mobile devices
• Gaming
• Online learning
– Designing the 21st Century School
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up 2007 Participation Overview
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K-12 Students
Teachers
Parents (in English & Spanish)
School/District Administrators
Schools
Districts
States
319,223
25,544
19,726
3,263
3,729
867
All 50
Top 10: TX, CA, AZ, IL, AL, MD, NC, PA, FL, MI
About Speak Up 2007 Schools:
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97% public, 3% private
32% urban, 40% suburban, 29% rural
43% Title 1 eligible
29% majority-minority student population
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
We would like to recognize our
Speak Up 2007 Sponsors:
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
We would like to also acknowledge the
support of our Speak Up 2007
National Champion Outreach Partners:
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Original report released in Oct 2007
Learning in the 21st Century:
A National Report of
Online Learning
Downloadable from:
www.blackboard.com
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
New report using Speak Up 2007 data
Learning in the 21st Century:
A Trends Update
Downloadable from:
www.blackboard.com
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Big questions this year:
What are the views & aspirations
of students, teachers and school
leaders regarding online learning?
Are those views changing?
What can we learn from a variety
of online learning implementations?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Expert Panel Discussion with:
Earlene Patton
Alabama Department of Education
Shauna Washburn
Frenship Independent School District
Susan Wells
Clear Creek Independent School District
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Students, teachers, parents & school
leaders “Speak Up” about online learning:
Activities,
Attitudes & Aspirations
Disconnects & Differences
Trends & Leverage Points
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Let’s get to know each other!
Audience Response
How would you assess your own technology
skills compared to your peers?
Beginner
Average
Advanced
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
How would you assess your own technology skills
compared to your peers?
No Response 4%
B: Average
27%
C: Advanced
69%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Parents, Teachers, School Leaders:
What kind of tech user are you?
Self Assessment of Tech Skills
Leaders
Teachers
Parents
0%
10%
20%
Advanced
30%
Average
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
40%
Beginner
50%
60%
Question to Audience
What % of students grades 6-12 consider
themselves “advanced tech users?”
a. 6%
b. 24%
c. 70%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
What % of students grades 6-12 consider themselves
“advanced tech users?”
(Speak Up 2007 response: B: 24%)
No Response
11%
B: 24%
Audience: 22%
C: 70%
Audience: 67%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
What % of students grades 6-12 consider
themselves “advanced tech users?”
Students' Self Assessment: Tech Skills
Beginner
6%
Advanced
24%
Average
70%
Advanced
Average
Beginner
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Key findings from Speak Up 2007 Data
“Digital disconnect” is alive and well!
– Between students and adults
– Between advanced tech students and
other students
– Between girls and boys
– Between older and younger students
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Digital Disconnect
A new “battleground” with emerging
technologies in education
• Mobile devices
• Online learning
• Gaming technologies
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Students
Today’s students are very
interested in online
learning opportunities.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Question to Audience
What percentage of middle school students
say they are interested in taking
an online class?
A. 10%
B. 24%
C. 47%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
What percentage of middle school students
say they are interested in taking
an online class?
(Correct answer:B)
No Response
19%
A
11%
B
26%
C
44%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Students
Have you taken an online class?
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Researched
Gr 9-12
Gr 6-8
Gr 3-5
Outside of school
Part of class
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Online class
No but interested
Question to Audience
What is the #1 reason middle school students
want to take an online class?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Take class not offered at my school
Get extra help in a subject
Earn college credit
To work at my own pace
To learn more about the subject
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
What is the #1 reason
middle school students want to take
an online class?
(Correct answer:B)
No Response
26%
A: Not offered at school
11%
B: Extra Help
15%
E: Learn more about
subject
4%
C: College Credit
11%
D: Own Pace
33%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Students
Why Students Want to take an Online Class
Work at own pace
To get extra help
Scheduling
Learn about a subject
College credits
Class not offered
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Grades 3-5
25%
Grades 6-8
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
30%
35%
Grades 9-12
40%
45%
50%
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
Teachers are also very
interested in online learning –
for their classroom and their
own professional
development.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
Online learning in the classroom
• Used LMS in class – 11%
• Explored for fit in classroom – 33%
• Interest in learning more – 31%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
Professional development
• Have you taken online class?
• Professional development: 21%
• Career advancement: 16%
• Personal enrichment: 12%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Question to Audience
What percentage of teachers said
“online classes” were their preferred method
of professional development?
a. 10%
b.26%
c. 39%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
What percentage of teachers said
“online classes” were their preferred method
of professional development?
(Correct answer:B)
No response
22%
C
26%
A
26%
B
26%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
26% of teachers now say that online
classes are their preferred method of
professional development –
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
26% of teachers now say that online
classes are their preferred method of
professional development –
an increase of almost 3 times over
2006 data findings
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Teachers
Benefits of Online PD for Teachers
Just in time
Learning Style
Less expensive
Saves time
Self directed
Fits schedule
0%
10%
20%
30%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
40%
50%
60%
70%
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
Schools and districts are
implementing all kinds of
online learning.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
How is online learning being implemented?
How has your school or district implemented online courses?
Instructor-led, online courses on campus
Instructor-led, online courses taken anywhere
Self-paced, student directed
Blended online course with face-to-face teacher interactions
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
23%
20%
26%
20%
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
Administrators say student engagement is #1
reason for online learning.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
Why offer or expand online learning?
Student engagement
Scheduling alternatives
Offer personalized instruction
Teacher interest in teaching
Student requests
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
45%
38%
34%
33%
33%
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
And face similar barriers to
the implementation of other
emerging technologies.
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings - School Leaders
What the barriers to implementation of
online learning?
Funding
68%
Need for PD
32%
Digital equity
30%
Integration into curriculum
28%
Competing priorities
25%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
What if you could design
the ultimate school …
what technologies would have the greatest
impact on your learning?
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Question to Audience
What do students say is the #1 tech tool or
service that will impact their learning?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Digital equipment for creating projects
Games and virtual simulations
Personal laptops for each student
Student access to email and IM at school
Using devices like cellphones, MP3 players and
PDAs
Online classes
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
What do students say is the #1 tech tool or
service that will impact their learning?
(Correct answer:C)
A: Digital Equipment
4%
No Response
22%
F: Online Classes
7%
B: Games/Simulations
7%
C:Personal Laptops
30%
E: Cell phones, MP3
30%
..and the Speak Up 2007 National results are..
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Students
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 2008
Speak Up Data Findings – Students
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 2008
Speak Up Data Findings
Students & Teachers
Ultimate School Designs
1:1 laptops
Interactive board
Comm tools
Mobile devices
Gaming
Online classes
Internet access
Web 2.0
0%
10%
20%
30%
Teachers
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
40%
Students
50%
60%
70%
Key benefits of online learning in
education today:
Expansion of learning opportunities
Personalization of learning
Engagement in learning
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Learning in the 21st Century:
A Trends Update
Downloadable from:
www.blackboard.com
Let’s discuss:
http://speakupblog.tomorrow.org/
More Speak Up data?
http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/index.html
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Speak Up 2008
Fall 2008
Have a voice in national discussions
Learn about the ideas of your own stakeholders
Inform your plans, budgets and programs
Participating schools and districts get
free online access to your own quantitative data –
with national benchmark data
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Let’s Hear from our Expert Panel
Earlene Patton
Alabama Department of Education
Shauna Washburn
Frenship Independent School District
Susan Wells
Clear Creek Independent School District
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
Top Ten Tips for implementing online
learning -- compiled from NECC panelists
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Get buy in from curriculum department
Identify funding sources – it is available
Provide pre-training and professional development
Involve school sites in planning process: rights, roles, contents
Start small – implement a “required” course
Incorporate rigorous, embedded digital content
Take advantage of vendor consulting to help “jump-start” the
implementation.
h. Implement an online courses based to address “greatest need”
i. Involve parents and secure buy-in for their child to participate
j. Provide support during implementation & documentation in a
variety of formats
k. Identify credible materials to incorporate into master course
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
NECC Audience Responses
Senteo Results
Top 10 list - Online Learning Implementation
A: Buy In
14%
B: Funding
3%
No Response
46%
C: PD
18%
D; Site Buy-In
3%
E: Start Small
3%
J: Support
3%
G: Vendor Consulting
3%
F: Digital Content
7%
(c) Project Tomorrow 2008
It has been great to learn from you today.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Julie Evans
Project Tomorrow
jevans@tomorrow.org
949-609-4660 x15
Copyright Project Tomorrow 2008.
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 2008