Connected Minds

Are students’ expectations changing because of technology?

Francesc PedróTeacher Development and Education Policies

UNESCO

Mainstream assumptionsMainstream assumptions

1.1. Today’s students have different learning Today’s students have different learning expectations, because of digital media.expectations, because of digital media.

2.2. Higher education has to change Higher education has to change dramatically to address their dramatically to address their expectations.expectations.

2

Do stereotypes help?Do stereotypes help?

4

Percentage of Percentage of disparities disparities between between teachers teachers perceptions perceptions and students’ and students’ self-self-perceptions. perceptions. Average of 6 Average of 6 European European countries, countries, 20082008

5

Reality is not b&w onlyReality is not b&w only

Source: Ferri et al (2009)

Let’s take the challenge!Let’s take the challenge!

1.1. Are students really so attached to Are students really so attached to technology?technology?

2.2. Is this attachment changing dramatically Is this attachment changing dramatically their learning expectations?their learning expectations?

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Are students really so attached Are students really so attached to technology?to technology?

Yes, there are all sorts of evidence about Yes, there are all sorts of evidence about higher ed students’ attachment to higher ed students’ attachment to

technology.technology.

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Technology ownership among college students

©2011 EDUCAUSE. CC by-nc-nd 8

TechnologyStudents

Own

Laptop 87%

Printer 81%

DVD Player 75%

USB Thumbdrive 70%

Wi-Fi* 67%

Stationary gaming device

66%

Ipod 62%

HDTV 56%

Smartphone 55%

Digital Camera 55%

Webcam 55%

Desktop Computer 53%

Handheld Gaming Device

38%

Netbook 11%

iPad 8%1

8

23 4

5

7

9

1011

12

13

14

15

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Traditional age college students (18-24) and those from households of $100K+ own more technology than their counterparts.

Q1. Which of the following items do you own?

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*Likely interpreted by the respondent as having access to Wi-Fi

©2011 EDUCAUSE. CCby-nc-nd 8

It’s not the technology, but the connectivity

Source: ECAR (2011)

How far are learning How far are learning expectations changing?expectations changing?

Not dramaticallyNot dramatically

Driven by realism.Driven by realism.

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Common classroom activitiesCommon classroom activities

52%

29%

25%

22%

22%

17%

16%

16%

10%

10%

9%

8%

7%

7%

4%

3%

Copy from the board or a book

Listen to a teacher talking for a long time

Have a class discussion

Take notes while my teacher talks

Work in small groups to solve a problem

Have a drink of water when I need it

Work on a computer

Listen to background music

Have some activities that allow me to move around

Create pictures or maps to help me remember Have a change of activity to help focus

QWhich three of the following do you do most often in class?

Spend time thinking quietly on my own

Talk about my work with a teacher

Learn things that relate to the real world

Teach my classmates about something

Base: All pupils (2,417)

Have people from outside to help me learn

Learn outside in my school’s grounds

33%

Source: Ipsos MORI (2008)

Most preferred ways to learnMost preferred ways to learn

55%

39%

35%

31%

21%

19%

16%

14%

12%

9%

9%

8%

5%

6%

3%

1%

In groupsBy doing practical thingsWith friends

By using computers Alone

From friends

With your parentsBy practising

By copying

By thinking for yourself

OtherFrom others

In which three of the following ways do you prefer to learn?

From teachers

By seeing things done

In silence

At a museum or library

Base: All pupils (2,417) Source: Ipsos MORI (2008)

Preferred learning environment for higher ed, ECAR 2011

Source: ECAR (2011)

Is online learning equally good?

Does an online course have the same educational

value as an in-person course?

Age<25 23%25+ 40%Live on-campus 18%off-campus 33%Taken an online courseYes 45%No 12%

Online courses provide equal value

Source: ECAR (2011)

What do they say about learning with technology?

©2011 EDUCAUSE. CC by-nc-nd 15

Makes Learning More Engaging and Relevant

Facilitates Connecting with Others

Gives Students Access to Resources and Progress Reports

Makes Students More Efficient

Learning more creative

Learning more fun Think out of the box Individualized/

personalized

More relevant to real life

More engaging Elevates teaching Reach academic

potential

Take control of own learning Extends learning beyond

classroom Prepares me for the

workforce Prepares me for graduate

school

Feel connected to other students Feel connected to

professors/staff

Feel connected to what's going on

Gives me access to experts in my field

Helps me do my work faster Allows me to produce higher-

quality work

Efficient way to store examples of work

Makes college easier

Easy to track my academic progress

Helps me know how I am doing Simplifies administrative-related

activities

Gives me access to resources Easier to get help when I need it

Avg. Agreement

with Statements

So, what?So, what?

EngagementEngagement

ConvenienceConvenience

ProductivityProductivity

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Thanks!

F.Pedro@UNESCO.org