Redefining and Closing Achievement Gaps of Today's Students Via Digital Products

and ServicesModerator:

Donna Craighead, Senior Analyst, RedRock Reports

Today's achievement gap refers not just to core academics, but those skills necessary for 21st Century students to succeed in the global workplace. Will digital content and applications help close the gaps so that potential employers find what they are looking for in young people? How do we market and sell our digital products and services to the educators reaching 21st Century students?

Seven Survival Skills for 21st Century1.  Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

2.  Collaboration Across Networks and Leading

by Influence

3.  Agility and Adaptability

4.  Initiative and Entrepreneurship

5.  Effective Oral and Written Communication

6.  Accessing and Analyzing Information

7.  Curiosity and Imagination

Added by panel…

8.  School Realities for the

21st Century

PanelistTom Boe, Senior Product Manager,

PLATO Learning

Bob Longo, Executive Vice President Etech Group, The Americas

Eric Wong, Chief Executive Officer, PLANETii

A Little Bit About Our Panelists(5 minutes)

Closing the Reality Gap

Thomas Boe

Platon Learning

1980’s Innovation Examples

• Simulations (including team simulations)

• Logo

• TERC’s Acid Rain Project

• Productivity tools in curriculum

1990: “Our market is the radical fringe.”

2007: Straight Curve Math• Constructivist learning + skill development

• Learning community--collaborate, invent, & critique mathematical ideas

• Teachers learn along with students

• But…It takes a LONG time to change teacher practice.

District Position• “We meet the unique needs of every

student.”

• But student needs are wildly divergent (and getting more so.)

• And…we’ll turn over half of our teachers in the next few years

Teachers’ DreamI want to:

• Understand my students’ individual needs, engage them, and help them learn.

I don’t want to:

• give up my life.

• turn into a “learning manager.”

Key Questions

• How can we best help the majority of teachers (and their students)?

• How can technology uniquely meet critical needs for districts, teachers, and students?

Bob Longo,

Executive Vice President

Etech Group, The Americas

Questions?• Who OWNS the learning world?

The US Department of Education? The Business Community? K-12 Administrators/Teachers/Parents Academia? The State/Local Authorities? Ed Tech Vendors? Other…

BTW---Who is King/Queen of and in these communities?

Questions?• What is MOST important?

State Standards Select Workplace Skills Select Content Mastery 21st Century Skills List Post Secondary Admissions Requirements Ability to be a good citizen Mission critical government needs Global competitiveness Other…BTW---Who is King/Queen…?

Questions?• How should we assess?

State High Stakes Exit Examinations Standard National Examination A Global Standard Examination District and local teacher assessments 3rd Party Vendor products University Entrance Examination (SAT, ACT…) Other…

BTW---Who is King/Queen…?

Closing the Gap Complexity Who is/are the Power Decider(s)?

The Government• Federal• State • Local Voters/School Boards

Financial Power• Federal/State/Local Governing Authorities• Tax Payers/Voters• Business Community• Foundations

The Educational Establishment All of the above?

Closing the Gap Complexity What are the 1st Priorities?

The Power Structure Funding Strategies The Learning Objectives A National Plan Identification of needed resources & infrastructure

(Otherwise, the US world of education remains fragmented & the gaps remain as they have with various failed efforts)

All Panel Question #1

Core Academic Subjects are

skills for the 21st Century…

Should companies create

products and services that incorporate the “new” achievement skills for 21st students in the global workplace?

All Panel Question #2

Will digital content and

applications help close the gaps

so potential employers find

what they are looking for

in young people?

All Panel Question #3

How do we market and sell our digital products and services to the educators reaching 21st Century students?

All Panel Question #4

What are the realities of schools

in 21st Century?

Questions from

the audience.