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Educational Technology Research

Project Tomorrow: Speak Up

 Technology use in schools is inevitable and critical. Teachers, administrators, and parents all agree about the importance of using technology in education. Project Tomorrow is an organization that provides data on the topic of technology. The have a program called Speak Up, in which they survey all those involved about their view on technology use in education and publish a report. The reports are helpful to see trends on views and/or gaps. I found many of the reports, info-graphs, and videos interesting as I looked on the website, but the report and info-graph that really stuck with me were Digital Learning: Peril or Promise for Our K-12 Students and "Preparing Student for the World of Work Speak Up 2018-19 Findings November 2019."  The information received  can help educators better understand how students today are learning so they can be better taught.
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Stakeholder Views

 I thought the info-graphic was interesting because it shows that parents and administrators are pretty much on the same page when it comes to identifying important educational skills. In order for students to enter the real world, they need to develop the skills noted in the picture to the left. Critical thinking was voted as the highest, and most important skill for students to develop.

 I can relate to this through our integration of our new science resource. It incorporates the use of different science related careers, such as a geologist and engineer. Students are put into the role of a scientist/engineer to try to solve a problem based on evidence. They are using these skills, namely critical thinking, to do science instead of just learn about it.

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Decreased Interests

When viewing the info-graphic, a few statistics bothered me. I noted the decline in interests in things that are active and unrelated to technology. As an elementary school student, I remember being active in sports, spending time outside with friends, and even going to summer camp. I was able to meet and play with people through face-to-face interactions. It is sad to see that interest in going to a summer camp went down 31%, after school program participation went down 36%, and competitions 34%. These are very active activities that are no longer as popular as they used to be. I know generational interests change and what was once popular can change as well. 

 I can also connect this to another experience when babysitting my younger cousins. A few years ago, I watched my two cousins (age 4 and age 7) over the summer. I tried to plan crafts, ways to practice their reading/math, trips to the pool, and building out of Lego's/paper. However, they were mainly interested in playing games on their personal tablets. It was almost a fight to get them go outside and be active. I ended up taking them to the library often so they could use the tablets there and play academic games, such as counting, problem solving, etc.

   Increased Interests

 Although a decrease in some trends can seem like a disadvantage for kids, there are also some increased interests that can be seen as positive. Kids are remaining active, cognitively, but in a different way than they used to be. Kids today are more into hands-on job experience, watching videos to learn, and using gaming as a tool. I think these things are all engaging and can make learning meaningful. 

 In my classroom, I tend to use YouTube often because of its wide range of academic videos. I am able to make learning fun by finding raps about different science topics, that are equally informative. Below is an example of one I just used this week to teach my students about the rock cycle.
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The Digital Learning Report further demonstrates student interests. I noticed than majority of students are using software, applications, digital games, and videos to learn. I think part of this reason is because these tools create visuals for students, as well as incorporate technology. 

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Skill Development and Provided
Experiences

 The info-graphic also states student attitude towards learning and their careers. I was happy to see how many students are interested in building things and doing projects that are hands on. It was also cool to see that 47% of students were able to connect what they were learning to possible future careers. This, to me, shows that they are learning valuable skills that can be applied in the real world, not just virtually.

 The Digital Learning Report breaks down student experiences in the classroom, and the percent of administrators who answered that they are nascent, developing, or established in using the specific technology. I noticed that game based learning and flipped classrooms are at the lowest percent because I think they are the hardest to implement. I think years of using traditional models and frowning upon gaming have something to do with this.
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Takeaways
I have a few thoughts after researching technology trends:
  1. Times have changed and what was once popular 10 years ago, no longer is among kids and teens, but this does not mean they aren't getting valuable experiences
  2. Technology trends can be used to predict what is going to be more popular in the future
  3. Parents, teachers, and administrators all value technology and see its importance in the classroom
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Comments

  1. Mr. GNovember 24, 2019 at 6:12 AM

    I think that your graphic showing how people prefer to learn about future careers makes sense to me based on what I have seen and learned about the generations. With the ease of access to so much information, we don't "need" to leave the house for much anymore. We don't need to attend that summer camp, attend after school activities or participate in competitions because we can "learn" what we need remotely, right? Not sure I agree with that, myself, but it's the thinking a lot of people have. As for the lack of competition participation, I'd assume that was because we saw generations of students and athletes that got a trophy for simply participating and didn't really see benefits of the competition atmosphere in life. Me, I am kind of ambivalent myself. Does there always need to be a winner, does everyone have the drive to compete, do we need to, is everything in life a sport?

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  2. BetteNovember 24, 2019 at 5:02 PM

    Thank you for sharing the great YouTube video about the rock cycle. That video is much more engaging for students than the ones that were shown when I was in middle school. Having students enter the role of a scientist or engineer not only uses critical thinking skills, it sounds like it also has them playing an online role-playing game about different science related careers. Which is an increasingly more popular way for students to learn about different career options. I also agree with your takeaways about the trends in technology and appreciate your optimistic outlook at these changes.

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  3. NMZumpanoNovember 26, 2019 at 5:51 AM

    For me the best part were your takeaways. I appreciated that you acknowledged that even in changing times kids are still having positive experiences. Well said!

    ReplyDelete

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