Nominations for the 2015 Innovation in Education Awards close TONIGHT!

Orange County, CA students, teachers, and schools - you have until TONIGHT to submit your nominations for the 2015 Innovation in Education Awards! Click here to nominate yourself or others for a chance to win up to $1,000 (teachers and schools) or $1,500 (students)!

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to win an award/scholarship for yourself or your school! Now in its 10th year, this award and scholarship opportunity celebrates and showcases school programs, educators, and students for their innovative use of science, math, or technology in the classroom and community. We are seeking nominations from schools throughout Orange County, CA in the following three categories:

• Innovative School-Wide Program ($1,000 Winner Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• High Impact Teacher ($1,000 Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• Emerging Student Innovator ($1,500 Scholarship, $500 Finalist Scholarship)

We highly encourage all schools, teachers, and students with a passion for STEM to submit nominations! Click here to view the nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact our Innovation Awards team at innovation@tomorrow.org. Find out more about the Innovation in Education Awards on our website: http://tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html 

Speak Up Family and Friends: Ensure Success in Algebra 1 with DreamBox Learning

Our friends at DreamBox Learning have just released new materials around algebra readiness and how to prepare students for algebra early. Included in these materials are a whitepaper ("Algebra Readiness through Deeper Learning in Middle School: How Teachers Can Empower Students to Achieve with Confidence"), an infographic, sample lessons, and a blog series.

With their algebra readiness materials, DreamBox Learning aims to empower teachers to reach, teach, and engage all students in meaningful math learning that prepares them for success in Algebra 1 and beyond. To view the materials, click on the image above or follow the links below.

Click here to view all algebra readiness materials

Click here to download the whitepaper

Click here to see the infographic

Click here to read the blog series

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

Don't forget - nominations for this year's Innovation Awards close this Friday! Submit your nominations in the Innovative Schoolwide Program, High Tech Teacher, and Emerging Student Innovator categories - nominate yourself or others for a chance to win $1,000! Click here to learn more.

- The Project Tomorrow Team

Can software spot a great essay? - District Administration Magazine

Tech Tip: Digital badges aren’t gold stars for the Web - SmartBlog on Education

4 Ways Digital Tech Has Changed K-12 Learning - The Journal

Global Survey: Students Want a Bigger Focus on Career Outcomes - Campus Technology

Schools Ratchet Up Safety Protocol, But Some Lack Basic Infrastructure - US News

Q&A: Principal Speaks Out On The Power YouTube Can Have On Schools - EdTech Focus on K-12

Project Tomorrow at ISTE 2015

June 28 – July 1

Philadelphia, PA

We are excited to be a part of ISTE 2015 in Philadelphia, PA! If you're attending the conference, be sure to take part in our various workshops, panels, and sessions, featuring Speak Up 2014 data and more. Check out our list of ISTE 2015 activities below, and don’t forget to visit our website as we update it with our latest ISTE schedule and plans.

Using Speak Up Data to Inform Your Digital Learning Plans – a special workshop for school and district leaders
Sunday, June 28, 2:30-5pm
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
Click here to register
Plan to attend this special, first-ever workshop for school and district leaders on how to leverage Speak Up data from your education stakeholders to inform and guide your digital learning plans. You have collected the views and aspirations of your students, parents, teachers, community members and staff — now how do you use that data to kickstart a new initiative, change the perceptions of your teachers, gain the support of your school board, parents and community, or develop new funding sources to support your plans? We will cover all of that and more in this special workshop that will feature strategies for using the Speak Up data — and testimonials from school district leaders on their successes. Refreshments and appetizers will be provided also.

Paying It Forward: Leveraging Female Voices in Ed Tech
Monday, June 29, 8:30-9:30am
Location: PCC 116
Click here to learn more
Female ed tech leaders from across the globe gather annually at ISTE. This year, we will formalize this convening with an engaging session around leadership. From coaching to mentorship to collaboration, the session will showcase female agents of change and examine how to strengthen the female voice in education technology. With Julie Evans (Project Tomorrow), Mila Fuller (National Council of Teachers of English), Ellen Bialo (Interactive Educational Systems Design), Margaret Roth (Yet Analytics), and Kari Stubbs (BrainPOP).

The Eight Essentials for Success in Mobile Learning
Monday, June 29, 12:45-1:45pm
Location: PCC Ballroom A
Click here to learn more
Attend this session to learn eight essential strategies for success in mobile learning, with examples illustrating successful use for each strategies. You'll gain insights into how to develop, implement and evaluate mobile learning initiatives. Applying these strategies will greatly increase the chances for success of a mobile learning project. With Julie Evans (Project Tomorrow), Angela Baker (Qualcomm Wireless Reach), and Chris Dede (Harvard University).

Why Student Data?
Tuesday, June 30, 12:30-1:30pm
Location: PCC 114
Access to student data can improve teaching and learning. Hear firsthand how educators, school districts, and the private sector are using student data to improve educational outcomes and how they are safeguarding student information.

Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students
Tuesday, June 30, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: PCC 103BC
Click here to learn more
Engaging students in learning can potentially improve achievement, but increasing student engagement is still an elusive concept in many classrooms. Armed with research findings and classroom practices, we'll provide you with new strategies and ideas to use in your classrooms. With Julie Evans (Project Tomorrow), Robert Miller (Port Orange Elementary), and Kari Stubbs (BrainPOP).

Speak Up Collaborator Booth (Conference Center)
Monday, June 29, 9:30 am–5:30 pm
Tuesday, June 30, 9:30 am–5 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 9:30 am–3 pm

Stop by our collaborator booth to say hi and learn more about Speak Up on your way to all your great ISTE sessions!

Speak Up News - May 2015

Happy Thursday! In honor of the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, we've moved our 2nd Congressional Briefing to September 24, 2015. Keep reading this newsletter for details regarding the release of the Speak Up 2014 National Findings from Teachers, Administrators, and Parents, as well as our plans for ISTE 2015. In this newsletter: ▪ Save the date! Our 2nd Congressional Briefing has been moved to September 24, 2015. ▪ Project Tomorrow at ISTE: We're excited to be a part of ISTE 2015 this summer! Check out our list of activities and events at this year's conference. ▪ National Release of Speak Up 2014 Student National Findings: Did you miss our first Congressional Briefing in April? Visit our website to download the report.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter, and our Blog. -The Project Tomorrow team

Save the date! Our second Congressional Briefing has been moved to Thursday, September 24, 2015 Location TBA 12:00PM–1:30PM Lunch will be provided In honor of the beginning of the new school year, we've moved our second Congressional Briefing to Thursday, September 24, 2015! Please join us for the release of the Speak Up 2014 National Findings from Teachers, Administrators, and Parents. This is the second of two Congressional Briefings on the data results from the 521,000 online Speak Up surveys submitted from education stakeholders nationwide in fall 2014. The September 24th briefing will include a presentation of the national findings and a moderated panel discussion with leaders in the education field. This year’s national report, “Digital Teaching 2.0 – Activating Technology-Enhanced Learning in America’s Classrooms” will be distributed to all attendees. Will you be in Washington D.C. on September 24th? If so, RSVP for the briefing! Click here to save your seat and receive updates on the briefing details. If you are unable to attend the briefing and would like to request a copy of the report, click here or email us with your reservation request!

Project Tomorrow at ISTE 2015 June 28 – July 1 Philadelphia, PA We're excited to be a part of this year's ISTE Conference & Expo! If attending, be sure to take part in our various workshops, panels, and sessions, featuring Speak Up 2014 data and more. Check out our list of ISTE 2015 activities below, and visit our official ISTE 2015 events page as we update it with our latest conference schedule and plans. Using Speak Up Data to Inform Your Digital Learning Plans – a special workshop for school and district leaders Sunday, June 28, 2:30-5pm Click here to register Paying It Forward: Leveraging Female Voices in Ed Tech Monday, June 29, 8:30-9:30am Click here to learn more The Eight Essentials for Success in Mobile Learning Monday, June 29, 12:45-1:45pm Click here to learn more Why Student Data? Tuesday, June 30, 12:30-1:30pm Details coming soon! Digital Teachers, Digital Principals: Transforming the Ways We Engage Students Tuesday, June 30, 4:00-5:00pm Click here to learn more Speak Up Collaborator Booth (Conference Center) Monday, June 29, 9:30 am–5:30 pm Tuesday, June 30, 9:30 am–5 pm Wednesday, July 1, 9:30 am–3 pm Click here to learn more about this year's ISTE Conference & Expo and our planned events and activities.

2015 Congressional Briefing National Release of Speak Up 2014 K-12 Students Did you miss our first Congressional Briefing? If so, visit our website to download the report, view the press release, read this year's key findings, and more! Information about our first Congressional Briefing: On April 30, 2015 Project Tomorrow released the report “Digital Learning 24/7: Understanding Technology – Enhanced Learning in the Lives of Today’s Students” at a Congressional Briefing held in Washington, DC and online in a special live stream of the event. Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow CEO, discussed selected student national findings from the Speak Up 2014 student report and moderated a panel discussion with students who shared their insights and experiences with digital learning. Click here to visit our website Click here to download the report Thank you for your interest and continued support of Speak Up! Be sure to stay updated on all things Speak Up by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our Blog. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Speak Up Operations Manager, Jenny Hostert, at jhostert@tomorrow.org or via phone at (949) 609-4660 ext. 17. Many thanks to our sponsors and partners for the support of Speak Up 2014: Blackboard Inc., BrainPOP, Fuel Education, DreamBox Learning, Schoolwires, Qualcomm Wireless Reach, Rosetta Stone, American Association of School Administrators, Consortium for School Networking, Digital Learning Day, Digital Promise, edWeb, International Association for K-12 Online Learning, International Society for Technology in Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National School Boards Association, Secondary Education Teachers’ Association, and the Southern Regional Education Board.

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

- The Project Tomorrow Team

Exclusive survey: Parents weigh in on the digital classroom - Marketplace Learning Curve

Research: Young Students Learn Better with Mix of Virtual and Real Worlds - The Journal

The online paradox at community colleges - The Hechinger Report

Chicago Educators Talk Challenges in STEM Education At 100Kin10 Summit - ChicagoInno

7 Highlights from Google’s First Online Education Conference - EdTech Focus on K-12

The Economic Importance of Teaching Coding to Teens - The Atlantic

Can Online Learning Support Critically At-Risk Students?

Last year, Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans shared Speak Up data in the 2014 Alternative Accountability Policy Forum in Coronado, California. The annual forum, held by the School for Integrated Academics & Technologies (SIATech), Reaching At Promise Students Association (RAPSA), and WestEd, is dedicated to improving and strengthening accountability for schools serving at-risk students. Check out a summary of Julie's presentation with Maria Worthen from iNACOL below:

Can Online Learning Support Critically At-Risk Students?

Online and blended learning can help close the opportunity gap in education by expanding learning opportunities otherwise unavailable to low-income students, students in small or rural communities, out of school youth, and others. The majority of high schools report using online learning for credit recovery and for keeping students on pace to graduate. When well designed and implemented, components of digital competency-based learning are well-matched for educating at-risk students for the following reasons:

• Students advance upon mastery.
• It provides explicit, measurable, transfer-able learning objectives that can empower students.
• Assessment is meaningful and can create a positive learning experience for students.
• Students receive timely, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs.
• Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge, along with the development of important skills and dispositions. 

Julie and Maria used Speak Up data and other research studies to show that student outcomes in blended learning exceed both traditional learning outcomes and online instruction-only outcomes, and that students enjoy digital learning because it personalizes instruction and is collaborative. At the end of the presentation they advised attendees that students are a "digital advance team" and can help educators plan technology programs for their schools; they also acknowledged a need for more information, as this type of online learning has the potential to change students' futures.

To learn more about Julie and Maria's session, as well as the 20 other sessions from the forum, check out WestEd's summary of the Third Annual Alternative Accountability Policy Forum.

Speak Up family and friends: "Time for Learning: Top 10 Reasons Why Flipping the Classroom Can Change Education" by Kathleen P. Fulton

Happy Monday! This week's Speak Up family and friends update focuses on Kathleen P. Fulton's book, Time for Learning: Top 10 Reasons Why Flipping the Classroom Can Change Education, which will be released on June 6 by Corwin Press. Check out some information on the book below:

Flipping classrooms - using class time for hands-on learning and "off loading" the lecture portion of lessons as homework - is taking schools by storm. This book makes the case to educational leaders for the benefits of flipping. Backed by powerful data (including past Speak Up data) and anecdotes, topics include:

• Data on positive student outcomes in terms of achievement and motivation
• How flipping gives teachers more time to work with students one-on-one and encourage peer learning
• How flipping engages students in 21st century skills
• Ways flipping is budget and resource-friendly

Furthermore, Fulton's book contains valuable data from Speak Up throughout the years, including:

• In 2012, 15% of teachers were interested in flipped learning, but 19% indicated they had heard of flipped learning and were not interested - showing a lack of information about how to make flipping work three years ago.
• In describing their ideal school in the 2013 Speak Up survey, 62% of students said they wish they were allowed to use their own devices at school.
• According to K-2 students in 2012, 75% said they use computers and mobile devices to play educational games on a regular basis. To see how these stats have changed, download a copy of our latest Speak Up student report.

To learn more about flipped learning and how flipping classrooms can change education, visit Kathleen P. Fulton's website and order her book.

Kathleen Fulton is a writer and education consultant specializing in teaching quality and technology. She served as Director, Reinventing Schools for the 21st Century, at the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) for ten years.  Before joining NCTAF, Ms. Fulton was Project Director for the Congressional Web-based Education Commission and lead author of their report The Power of the Internet for Learning.  She spent four years as Associate Director of the Center for Learning and Educational Technology at the University of Maryland, and worked for ten years as a policy analyst for the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). At OTA she was the Project Director responsible for several major education reports, including  Education and Technology: Future Visions, and Teachers and Technology: Making the Connection.  

Last chance! Nominations for the 2015 Innovation Awards close TODAY!

Today is your last chance to submit your nominations for the 2015 Innovation Awards! Click here to nominate yourself or others for a chance to win up to $1,000 (teachers and schools) or $1,500 (students)!

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to win an award/scholarship for yourself or your school! Now in its 10th year, this award and scholarship opportunity celebrates and showcases school programs, educators, and students for their innovative use of science, math, or technology in the classroom and community. We are seeking nominations from schools throughout Orange County, CA in the following three categories:

• Innovative School-Wide Program ($1,000 Winner Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• High Impact Teacher ($1,000 Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• Emerging Student Innovator ($1,500 Scholarship, $500 Finalist Scholarship)

We highly encourage all schools, teachers, and students with a passion for STEM to submit nominations! Click here to view the nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact our Innovation Awards team at innovation@tomorrow.org. Find out more about the Innovation in Education Awards on our website: http://tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html 

Nominations for the Innovation Awards close TOMORROW!

Are you a student, teacher, or school administrator in Orange County, CA? Or do you know an innovative student, teacher, or school administrator? If so, nominate yourself and/or others for this award and scholarship opportunity! Nominations for the Innovations Awards close TOMORROW!

The Project Tomorrow Innovation in Education Awards recognizes schools, educational leaders, and students for their innovative uses of science, math and technology in the classroom and community. The 2015 Innovation Award categories are:

• Innovative School-Wide Program ($1,000 Winner Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• High Impact Teacher ($1,000 Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• Emerging Student Innovator ($1,500 Scholarship, $500 Finalist Scholarship)

The Project Tomorrow 2015 Innovation in Education Awards will be presented at the 22nd Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards dinner reception this fall in conjunction with OC Tech Alliance’s own corporate awards on October 8, 2015 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. This high profile event attracts over 300 business and community leaders each year. Award finalists and a guest will be hosted at the reception. Award recipients will receive regional and national recognition through both online and traditional media outlets. In addition, all finalists will receive funding to use to expand a science, math or technology program in their classroom.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Click here to view the nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact our Innovation Awards team at innovation@tomorrow.org. Find out more about the Innovation in Education Awards on our website: http://tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html 

Around the Web Wednesday

Happy Around the Web Wednesday! Browse all the links below for the latest news and topics trending in education and technology. Be sure to let us know which article intrigued you the most!

- The Project Tomorrow Team

Don't forget - nominations for this year's Innovation Awards close this Friday! Submit your nominations in the Innovative Schoolwide Program, High Tech Teacher, and Emerging Student Innovator categories - nominate yourself or others for a chance to win $1,000! Click here to learn more.

Some Schools Embrace Demands for Education Data - The New York Times
Research: Young Students Learn Better with Mix of Virtual and Real Worlds - The Journal
Can K-12 districts really bring broadband to the community? - eSchool News
Meaningful Stories: How Teens Connect with StoryCorps and Podcasts - MindShift
The ed tech trends on the cusp of mainstream - eSchool News
Global Survey: Students Want a Bigger Focus on Career Outcomes - Campus Technology

Last call - nominations for the Innovation Awards close in THREE days!

Nominations for the Innovation Awards close in THREE days! Don’t miss out on this award and scholarship opportunity. Nominate yourself or others today, and remind your students to nominate themselves too!

Now in its 10th year, this award and scholarship opportunity celebrates and showcases school programs, educators, and students for their innovative use of science, math, or technology in the classroom and community. We are seeking nominations from schools throughout Orange County in the following three categories:

• Innovative School-Wide Program ($1,000 Winner Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• High Impact Teacher ($1,000 Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• Emerging Student Innovator ($1,500 Scholarship, $500 Finalist Scholarship)

Click here to view the nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact our Innovation Awards team at innovation@tomorrow.org. Find out more about the Innovation in Education Awards on our website: http://tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html 

Speak Up Family and Friends Upcoming Events

Happy Monday! Each week we'll post upcoming events and programs from our Speak Up partners and sponsors. Check out the events below:

Alliance for Excellent Education
Webinar: "Lessons Learned from Fifty Years of Federal Education Policy"
May 18, 2:30PM ET
Click here to learn more

CoSN
Webinar: "Online Assessments: Are You Ready?"
May 14, 1:00PM ET
Click here to register

DreamBox Learning
Whitepaper: "Nurturing the Middle School Mathematical Mind"
Download here
Click here to view the whitepaper

National School Boards Association
CUBE Webinar: "Brown v. Board of Education Digital Learning Day"
May 18, 3:15PM ET
Click here to learn more

Will you be attending any of these events? Let us know in the comment section!

Article by Julie Evans in Educational Leadership: "A Vision for Mobile Learning: More Verbs, Fewer Nouns"

Are you a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)? If so, check out this month's issue of Educational Leadership, featuring an article about students' views on mobile learning by Julie Evans.

If you're an ASCD member, click here to read the full article.

About ASCD: Founded in 1943, ASCD (doing business as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is the global leader in developing and delivering innovative programs, products, and services that empower educators to support the success of each learner. The association provides expert and innovative solutions in professional development, capacity building, and educational leadership essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead.

Whitepaper from DreamBox Learning: Nurturing the Middle School Mathematical Mind

Middle school is a unique time in the psychosocial and academic development of all learners, and a particularly critical time for math students, who need to be engaged, excited, and prepared for the greater challenges they’ll face in high school. Our friends at DreamBox Learning created the whitepaper, Nurturing the Middle School Mathematical Mind, to explain the attitudes and behaviors that make pre-teen and young teen learners tick, and practical strategies your customers can use right now in schools and classrooms to help their students thrive and educators meet goals.

Check out DreamBox Learning's infographic that goes along with their whitepaper - click here to view their infographic, or click on the image above. Special thanks to DreamBox Learning for using our Speak Up 2014 data in order to answer the question, "How do middle school students learn?"

Click here to download the whitepaper. 

Click here to learn more about DreamBox Learning.

Orange County, CA students, teachers, and schools: nominations for the Innovation Awards close next week!

Nominations for the Innovation Awards close next week. Don’t miss out on this award and scholarship opportunity. Nominate yourself or other innovators today!

Now in its 10th year, this award and scholarship opportunity celebrates and showcases school programs, educators, and students for their innovative use of science, math, or technology in the classroom and community. We are seeking nominations from schools throughout Orange County in the following three categories

• Innovative School-Wide Program ($1,000 Winner Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• High Impact Teacher ($1,000 Award, $250 Finalist Award)
• Emerging Student Innovator ($1,500 Scholarship, $500 Finalist Scholarship)

Click here to view the nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact our Innovation Awards team at innovation@tomorrow.org. Find out more about the Innovation in Education Awards on our website: http://tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html 

Speak Up in the news!

Happy Monday! This past week Speak Up was featured on various education websites for our release of our Speak Up 2014 student report, “Digital Learning 24/7: Understanding Technology – Enhanced Learning in the Lives of Today’s Students." Check out the articles below:

What's the Future for Mobile Devices in the Classroom? [#Infographic] - EdTech Magazine
Many High School Students Bringing Their Own Devices to School, Survey Finds - Education Week
4 key digital learning developments - eSchool News
Teen Students Depending More on Personal Devices in School - ABC News Radio
Nearly 60% of Teens Use Their Own Mobile Devices in School for Learning - The Innovative Educator Blog
Duh! Learning should be collaborative, personalized and tech-supported - ISTE

Thank you to EdTech Magazine, Education Week, eSchool News, ABC News Radio, The Innovative Educator Blog, and ISTE for featuring our data on your websites! If you missed last Thursday's Congressional Briefing, visit our website to download our report, watch a recording of the event, and more - click here to catch up on last week's event.

Did you miss yesterday's briefing? Catch up by visiting our website!

Catch up on yesterday's #SpeakUpBriefing by visiting our website! Here you'll be able to download the report, “Digital Learning 24/7: Understanding Technology – Enhanced Learning in the Lives of Today’s Students,” watch a recording of the live stream, and find information regarding our second Congressional Briefing on May 28, where we'll release our Speak Up 2014 educator data.

Key Findings from yesterday's briefing include:

• When students have access to technology as part of their learning, especially school-provided or enabled technology, their use of the digital tools and resources is deeper and more sophisticated.
• The availability of online learning continues to increase with only 27 percent of high school principals reporting that they are not yet offering any online courses for students. Interest among students continues to grow, with 24% of high school students saying they wish they could take all their classes online – a large increase from 8% in 2013.
• Almost three-quarters of students with school-provided devices as well as students with limited or non-existent technology access at school agreed that every student should be able to use a mobile device during the school day for learning.
• Students connect the use of technology tools within learning to the development of college, career, and citizenship skills that will empower their future capabilities.
• Digital experiences for students in a 100 percent virtual environment are much different than those in traditional schools. For instance, 72 percent of high school students in virtual schools take online tests, compared with 58 percent of traditional students.
• Students see the smartphone as the ideal device for communicating with teachers (46%) and classmates (72%) and for social media (64%).
• A gender bias exists in STEM interest –middle school girls are 38% less likely and high school girls are 32% less likely than their male peers to say they are very interested in a STEM career.

Interested in viewing more data? Click here to visit the April 30th Congressional Briefing homepage.