New Learning Environments for 21st Century Learners

Entire PowerPoint at http://www.bobpearlman.org/blc2010.htm

Excerpts from a presentation by Bob Pearlman at the Building Learning Communities Conference in

Boston, MA on July 14, 2010

New Tech High Schools• New Tech Network includes 62 public high schools in 14 states.

• Three key elements set our schools apart and fuel their success:

1. A new instructional approach that engages learners – PBL

2. A culture that empowers students and teachers.

3. Fully applied technology that supports deep learning.

http://www.newtechnetwork.org/

New Technology HS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Napa 8 Learning Outcomes

1. Technology Literacy

2. Collaboration

3. Critical Thinking

4. Oral Communication

5. Written Communication

6. Career Preparation

7. Citizenship and Ethics

8. Curricular Literacy (Content Standards)

Sacramento 10 Learning Outcomes:

1. Content Proficient

2. Able to Write Proficiently

3. Orally Proficient

4. Able to Think Critically

5. Technologically Proficient

6. Able to Collaborate

7. Prepared for a Career

8. Solid Citizens with Ethical Behavior

9. Able to Analyze and deal with Data

10.Possessing a solid Work Ethic

"What is Manor New Tech?" video -- In their own words, Manor New Tech (Manor, TX) students explain what MNTHS is to them. This video features footage of what is happening on campus every day. Presented by students at the Texas Computer Educators Conference, February 4, 2008.

http://www.manorisd.net/newtech/

World GeoLit Integrated class at Manor New Technology High School, Manor, TX. Photo by Les Simpson.

Manor New Technology High School, Manor, TX

At the core is a student centered, project and problem based

teaching strategy that is tied to both content standards and

school wide learning outcomes.

Project- and Problem-Based LearningKeys to 21st Century Learning

• To learn collaboration, work in teams.

• To learn critical thinking, take on complex problems.

• To learn oral communication, present.

• To learn written communication, write.

• To learn technology, use technology.

• To develop citizenship, take on civic and global issues.

• To learn about careers, do internships.

• To learn content, research and do all of the above.

NTHS teachers start each unit by engaging students into a realistic or real-world project that both fosters interest and generates a list of things the student need to know. Projects are designed to tackle complex problems, requiring critical thinking. New Tech’s strategy is simple:

Each unit begins when students are presented with a complex, standards-based problem

Students form a team, develop a work contract and build a work plan

Students get to work!

Students are provided an online briefcase specific to the project with information, resources, links and

assessment criteria that help guide them.

Students Need To Know

Student questions and “need to knows” drive classroom lectures and activities. Sometimes for the whole class … sometime for just

one student

Students experiment and apply learning

Students test their ideas and experiment to find solutions and breakthroughs while receiving ongoing

feedback from instructors.

Students get back to work!

Students work and collaborate in a business-like environment, where they know their deliverables and

have the technology tools to do their jobs.

Students prepare to present

Students work on building presentations to repre-sent their work and defend their solutions

Students present their solutions!

Students present ideas through debates, skits, panels, presentations, etc… where their work is evaluated by peers,

teachers, parents, and community

Figure 2: Learning Studio for integrated interdisciplinary class at Columbus Signature Academy, Columbus, IN. Figure 2: Learning Studio for integrated interdisciplinary class at Columbus Signature Academy

Columbus Signature Academy, Columbus, IN

The design and development of Columbus Signature Academy by CSO Architects and the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUK-UsDy7_0

http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/csant/site/default.asp

Columbus SignatureAcademy

Primary Student Work Area

Learning Studio

Presentation Space Presentation Room

Large Group Space Multi-Purpose Room

Extended Learning Spaces

Breakout AreaProject Conference Room

Specialty Labs Graphic Media Lab, Science

Furniture Rolling Tables and Chairs; Flip-up tables

Figure 4. Student project teams at work in double-sized classroom at New Tech High @ Coppell, Coppell, TX. Photo by Kate Jenkins.

New Tech High @ Coppell, Coppell, TX

http://www.coppellisd.com/newtech/site/default.asp?

Figure 6. Student collaborative project teams working in the digital media library and in the corridor, some of the many extended learning spaces at New Tech High @ Coppell, Coppell, TX. Photos by SHW Group, Plano, TX.

New Tech High @Coppell

Primary Student Work Area

Dual subject matter Learning Environment

Presentation Space Large Multi-Group Collaboration Zones

Large Group Space Large Multi-Group Collaboration Zones

Extended Learning Spaces

Corridor Alcoves Project Planning RoomsMedia LibraryOutdoor Benches

Specialty Labs Science

Furniture Mix and match tables; office chairs;lounge chairs and sofas in Extended Learning Spaces

The Met, Providence, RI

Figure 7: Students in advisory room at the Met, Providence, RI.

http://www.themetschool.org/Metcenter/home.html

At the Met, the curriculum is Learning Through Interests/Internships (LTIs). To the Met, LTI sites are part of their facilities. And the school site is designed to support students working on their LTIs.

Figure 8: Floorplan of Met East, Providence, RI, showing advisory rooms, project labs, and commons area.

The Met

Primary Student Work Area

Advisory/Project Room

Presentation Space Commons

Large Group Space Commons

Extended Learning Spaces

Conference Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Commons

Specialty Labs Fabrication

Furniture Soft, cushioned seats, contour chairs, flexible tables

Figure 9: Cluster area studio surrounded by four flexible classrooms at High Tech High, San Diego, CA.

High Tech High, San Diego, CA.

http://www.hightechhigh.org/

High Tech High, San Diego

Primary Student Work Area

Clustered classroom/ common studio

Presentation Space Commons

Large Group Space Commons

Extended Learning Spaces

Small and large conference rooms, Common studios, Commons

Specialty Labs BioTech, Engineering, Art, Music, Multimedia, Digital Arts

Furniture Benches in Extended Learning Spaces

Figure 10: Learning Plaza prototype at New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, Kent, England, shows Learning Plaza divided in multiple ways for large group, small group, and individual learning.

New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, Kent, England

http://www.newlinelearning.com/nllAcademy

Figure 11: Ground Floor, Learning Plaza prototype at New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, Kent, England.

Figure 12: Mezzanine,Learning Plaza prototype at New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, Kent, England.

New Line Learning Academy

Primary Student Work Area

Learning Plaza

Presentation Space Learning Plaza

Large Group Space Learning Plaza

Extended Learning Spaces

Learning Plaza watering holes and caves

Specialty Labs Art, Technology,Science

Furniture Modular tables and mobile lecture style amphitheater seating

ColumbusSignatureAcademy

New Tech High @Coppell

The Met High Tech High

New Line Learning Academy

Primary Student Work Area

Learning Studio

Dual subject matter Learning Environment

Advisory/Project Room

Clustered classroom/ common studio

Learning Plaza

Presentation Space

Presentation Room

Large Multi-Group Collaboration Zones

Commons Commons Learning Plaza

Large Group Space

Multi-Purpose Room

Large Multi-Group Collaboration Zones

Commons Commons Learning Plaza

Extended Learning Spaces

Breakout AreaProject Conference Room

Corridor Alcoves Project Planning RoomsMedia LibraryOutdoor Benches

Conference Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Commons

Small and large conference rooms, Common studios, Commons

Learning Plaza watering holes and caves

Specialty Labs

Graphic Media Lab, Science

Science Fabrication BioTech, Engineering, Art, Music, Multimedia, Digital Arts

Art, Technology,Science

Furniture Rolling Tables and Chairs; Flip-up tables

Mix and match tables; office chairs;lounge chairs and sofas in Extended Learning Spaces

Soft, cushioned seats, contour chairs, flexible tables

Benches in Extended Learning Spaces

Modular tables and mobile lecture style amphitheater seating

Some Cautionary Advice:It’s about a lot more than design and technology

Are the teachers ready to teach in the new learning environments?

New Learning Environments for 21st Century Learners

Entire PowerPoint at http://www.bobpearlman.org/blc2010.htm

Excerpts from a presentation by Bob Pearlman at the Building Learning Communities Conference in

Boston, MA on July 14, 2010