Slide presentation on educational transformation.ppt
- 1. Educational Transformations Enabled by Technology Robert Tinker The Concord Consortium http://concord.org
- 2. 1/20/03 2 National Academy The Problem INNOVATION and APPLIED RESEARCH are: • Essential to major advances in education that technology makes possible • Under funded • Overlooked in most policy debates
- 3. 1/20/03 3 National Academy It’s a Long Way from Basic Research to Improved Schools • A single development does not lead to classroom change Instead • Insights and innovations cascade from more basic to more applied research • New materials draw from many sources of insight and innovation
- 4. 1/20/03 4 National Academy The Research Spectrum Applied Basic Implementation Research Cognitive Research Tools and Platforms New Technologies IT-based Curricula Human Resource Development Educational Applications This all takes place in “Pasteur’s Quadrant” (Don Stokes) Technical Innovations Curriculum Innovations
- 5. 1/20/03 5 National Academy Implementation Research • Focus on in-schools studies. • Examples – Use of models across the curriculum – New approach to political science in which students design institutions and role play – Intuitive calculus in elementary grades followed by major curriculum changes – Atomic physics before molecular biology
- 6. 1/20/03 6 National Academy Implementation Research • Characteristics – Like medical field trials (somewhat) – The step before large-scale implementation – A few years ahead of current practice – Large numbers of students and teachers – Technology and training may be needed
- 7. 1/20/03 7 National Academy Example: Implementation Research • Modeling Across the Curriculum – Three-year longitudinal study – Thirteen schools and 10,000 students – Consistent approach to modeling – Random assignment of treatments – Look for cumulative improvements in basic problem-solving skills
- 8. 1/20/03 8 National Academy Example: Guidance and Assessment Using Tools Embed the tool into lessons. Kids can learn from these through exploration. Careful design and testing with students needed.
- 9. 1/20/03 9 National Academy Educational Innovations • Transformative, large scale educational innovations – Are feasible – Require large scale applied R&D – Are based on basic research and technical innovation – Draw from IT developments in other areas: games, science research, etc – Should be open source/open content
- 10. 1/20/03 10 National Academy Who Creates Innovations? • The funding picture – MSP: $1B total for implementation – Labs, Resource Centers, Systemic Initiatives: $1B/yr for dissemination – Centers for Teaching and Learning: $1B total for human resource development – No major government program for IT-based innovation – Business can reach large audiences • Where are the inputs?
- 11. 1/20/03 11 National Academy Who Creates Innovations? Where are IT-based educational innovations going to come from that transform K-14 education? – Not basic research – Not business – Not schools
- 12. 1/20/03 12 National Academy A Missing Link Basic Research Dissemination Implementation Research and Innovation Teacher Professional Development Improved Teaching and Learning New Technology
- 13. 1/20/03 13 National Academy Recommendations • To realize the educational potential of information technologies, a research strategy is needed that is balanced between pure and applied • Innovation in technology and curricula must be central to the strategy
- 14. 1/20/03 14 National Academy Education Accelerators • Promote, support, and study large-scale change in schools • School-centered • Large-scale change has risks • Cannot make mistakes with students • Schools need insurance and assurance • Theory-based change supported by evidence • Support for teachers, administrators, parents • Extensive formative assessment: early-warning system in place
- 15. 1/20/03 15 National Academy Education Accelerators • Applied research requires interdisciplinary teams • Centers, analogous to research centers in the sciences, are needed: Education Accelerators • Centers must have close connections to schools and colleges • By concentrating resources and expertise the research is more efficient and effective
- 16. 1/20/03 16 National Academy Education Accelerators • Need base funding for staff and a general research agenda • Five-year, renewable grants • Bulk of funding comes through peer reviewed projects to affiliated institutions
- 17. 1/20/03 17 National Academy The Cost • Cognitive research: 75 projects at $200K/yr = $20M/yr • Technology: 50 projects @ $500K/yr = $25M/yr • Software: 50 projects at $1M/yr = $50M/yr • Curriculum: 50 at $1M/yr = $50M/yr • Implementation: 50 at $2M/yr = $100M/yr • Accelerators: 10 at $5M/yr = $50M/yr • Human Resources: 200 @ $50K/yr = $10M/yr • Total: $300M/yr for ten years
- 18. 1/20/03 18 National Academy Worth it? • $3B total over ten years • 50 times current levels for innovation and applied research • Tiny compared to the educational enterprise • Comparable to current dissemination expenditures • Can transform education
- 19. 1/20/03 19 National Academy Fin Contact: bob@concord.org Information, free software, research results, reviews, and more at: http://concord.org