K-12 Encounters the Internet

Paul DiPerna

Presentation for CNA CorporationApril 12, 2006

Presentation Points:

Brookings Observations Research Questions State of K-12 Websites on the Internet Social Network Website Observations Proposal Questions Survey of K-12 “Stakeholders” Conclusions

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Initial Observations Escalating Demands on K-12 Stakeholders:

NCLB era Standards Accountability Testing Achievement Evaluation

Information and Communication needs Access Accuracy Efficiency

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The Internet is a potential means for efficient communications and increased access to a variety of information.

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Assumption:

Research Questions:

How is information presented on the top K-12 websites? How do they function? What are their main purposes?

What are the informational needs of K-12 stakeholders?

Is there demand for a new kind of online information delivery system?

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Table 1:Google’s Top 15 “K-12” Websites

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Name Basic Function General Purpose

Awesome Library Directory Website link provider

K12 Storefront Commercial product provider

NASA Quest Magazine Free content provider

ProQuest K-12* Storefront Commercial product provider

K-12 Resources For Music Educators Directory Website link provider

History/Social Studies Website for K-12 Teachers Directory Website link provider

Busy Teachers' Website Directory Website link provider

Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC) Magazine Free content provider

Yahoo! Education Directory Directory Website link provider

K-12Jobs.com Storefront Career resource center

Mathematics Archives - K12 Internet Sites Directory Website link provider

EduHound.com Directory Website link provider

SCORE CyberGuides Directory Free content provider

American School Directory Directory Subscription content provider

Virginia Department of Education Magazine Free content provider

Table 2:Google’s Top 15 “Education” Websites

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Name Basic Function General Purpose

Education World Magazine Free content provider

U.S. Department of Education Storefront/Directory Hybrid

EDUCATION Index Directory Website link provider

Education Week Magazine/Directory Hybrid

National Education Association Magazine/Directory Hybrid

Education Place Storefront Commercial product provider

Family Education Magazine/Directory Free content provider

Education Planet Storefront Commercial product provider

Yahoo! Education Directory Directory Website link provider

The Chronicle of Higher Education Magazine Subscription content provider

Peterson's Storefront Commercial product provider

Department for Education and Skills [UK] Storefront/Directory Free content provider

formerly Ask Eric Service [dead link] NA NA

The EnviroLink Network Magazine/Directory Hybrid

Texas State Education Agency Storefront/Directory Hybrid

Google Search Findings

Strong orientation to supply information; driven by assumptions about the user.

Functions vary – magazine; storefront; directory; hybrid.

Purposes vary – free content; selling commercial products; link provider.

Interactive elements are lacking. 8

Secondary Observations A New Kind of Website Emerges:

“Social network websites” boom (2003) Provides platform for user-to-user

communications by search, discovery, and coordination of user online profiles/pages

User-to-user communications is basic goal Functionally connects people to each other Structurally sets up a marketplace for contacts Standout examples:

Friendster, MySpace, Facebook

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Proposal Questions:

How might a social network website be useful to K-12 stakeholders?

People want K-12 information from whom?

How do people want to communicate online in order to get their K-12 information?

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Table 3:Snapshot of Online Survey, By Perspective Group (N=158)

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Percent of Sample

Parent(n=46)

29%

Teacher(n=29)

18%

Administrator(n=17)

11%

Policymaker(n=22)

14%

Researcher(n=54)

34%

Journalist(n=35)

22%

Grantmaker(n=8)

5%

Online Survey Findings

At least 54% of responses in each group indicated they would like access to expert knowledge and public decision-makers.

At least 45% of responses in each group indicated the need for peer contacts and support within a perspective group.

Nearly 61% of responses indicated that a profile preference matching technology (i.e. social networking) was “appealing” or “very appealing”.

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Conclusions

Current K-12 and education websites are driven by assumptions about their users and focus on supplying content; they lack good interactive and communications capabilities;

Internet research in early 2005 indicated there were no prominent websites that facilitated social networks among K-12 stakeholders;

Focus group research suggests potential for an online social networking service for any combination of K-12 stakeholders.

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A New Generation of K-12 Websites?SchoolParentNet (www.schoolparentnet.com)Launched in Fall 2005

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