THE CLASSROOM REDESIGNEDNEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL

Section 1

• An innovative learning environment, fueled by engaging instruction, collaborative culture and project-based learning (PBL).

• Students are taught 21st Century skills needed to succeed in the future.

What is a New Tech High School?

• There is a network of more than 60 New Tech High Schools throughout the country.

• Started in Napa, California.• Today’s presentation focuses on

New Techs in Northeast, Indiana.• Let’s start by discussing some common

misconceptions about New Tech.

What is a New Tech High School?

MYTH VS REALITYNEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL

New Tech High Schools are for kids who don’t plan on going to college.

New Tech students are exceptionally prepared for college.

In 2006, 85% of New Tech seniors applied to college. 98% of those applicants were accepted.

MYTH REALITY

New Tech High Schools are only for really smart kids and honors students.

Actually, students of all aptitudes attend New Tech, not just ‘honors students.’

The lessons are not based on advanced subjects, but they are academically rigorous, intensely practical and involve real-world issues.

MYTH REALITY

The biggest difference between New Tech High Schools and traditional high schools are the computers.

Technology is a big part of how we learn, but the use of computers is just one of many, many differences.

At New Tech, subjects are integrated, the environment fosters creativity, and material is applied to the real world.

MYTH REALITY

Since New Tech focuses on teamwork so much, students are evaluated and graded in groups, not as individuals.

Teamwork is a huge part of the New Tech experience, but students are still graded as individuals. They are evaluated on their development of 21st Century skills.

…and yes, there are still quizzes and tests.

MYTH REALITY

New Tech’s project-based learning (PBL) format hasn’t been proven to be effective. New Tech is just a fad.

Research indicates that PBL is more effective than traditional teaching methods: students retain more and can better explain it to others.

PBL students also tend to achieve higher scores on standardized tests.

MYTH REALITY

• Academically rigorous, intensely practical• Uses project-based learning, an

empowering culture and advanced technology to teach 21st Century skills.

• What exactly are 21st Century skills?

Quick Review

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Section 2

What Are 21st Century Skills?

Learning and Innovation

Information and Technology

Life and Career

Learning and Innovation• Creativity• Critical thinking and

problem-solving• Communications

and teamwork

21st Century Skills Defined

Information and Technology• Information literacy• Media literacy• Information and Computer

Technology (ICT) literacy

21st Century Skills Defined

Life and Career• Flexibility and adaptability• Initiative and self-direction• Social and cross-culture skills• Productivity and accountability• Leadership and responsibility

21st Century Skills Defined

On a scale of 1 to 5: 1 = not important, 5 = very important

What do 21st century employers want?

Communication Skills

Honesty & Integrity

Teamwork Skills

InterpersonalSkills

Strong Work Ethic

Source: Job Outlook 2002, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

How does a traditional high school education stack up to these needs?

Traditional approaches and evaluation are not suited well for teaching 21st Century students.”

Howard GardnerHarvard University

“

• Traditional Model– Students are taught in a standardized,

lecture-based setting.– But not everyone learns the same way

or at the same pace.– Smart, talented kids who don’t do well with

tests and memorization can fall behind.

Traditional Education

• Assessment-Based– States and schools emphasize test scores,

managed curriculum and a specific learning pace.

– Passing tests and memorizing facts does not guarantee success in “the real world.”

Traditional Education

1960s: Howard Barrows at McMaster University found that while his medical students scored well on tests, they were unable to accurately diagnose patients.

In other words: they couldn’t apply what they had learned from textbooks and lectures.

• Environments– Rows of desks.– Little emphasis on technology.– Little collaboration between students.– Limited collaboration between educators.– Isolated subjects.– Minimal application to real world issues.

Traditional Education

Subjects taught in silos and not often applied to one another.

THE OLD WAY:

• New Tech has redesigned the modern classroom.

• We create an immersive education that prepares students for the real world.

A Better Way to Teach

LIFE AT NEW TECHHOW NEW TECH STUDENTS LEARN

Section 3

1. Project-Based Learning (PBL)2. Collaborative Environment3. Culture of Trust, Respect and

Responsibility4. Integrated Technology5. Real World Advantage

Core Components of New Tech

1. Project-Based Learning– Subjects are integrated: students are given

a project and must learn the science, math, history, etc. to complete it.

– Practical: Students apply what they learn, as they learn it.

– Learning is hands-on.

Core Components of New Tech

ScienceScience

MathMath

EnglishEnglish

HistoryHistoryYOUR PROJECT

2. Culture of Trust, Respect and Responsibility– Students help develop their own rules

and codes of conduct — and stick to them.– High expectations for self and others, deep

respect for the learning environment.– Autonomy for students — “This is MY school!”– Fewer behavioral problems.

Core Components of New Tech

3. Collaborative Environment– Small class sizes, easy access to facilitators.– Environments feature open spaces, natural

lighting and bright color.– No rows of desks. Students share ideas and

work together in “pods” of desks.– Educators collaborate with each other, too.

Core Components of New Tech

4. Integrated Technology– Intrinsic to the classroom — every student

assigned a laptop.– 24/7 access to grades and progress.– Students are connected to each other

and to facilitators.– Technology is the tool, not the focus

and not a shortcut.

Core Components of New Tech

5. Real World Advantage– Class projects are based on real-world

scenarios.– New Tech partners with area businesses

to develop projects.– Juniors and seniors are required to hold

internships.

Core Components of New Tech

of New Tech’s outperformed their comparison sites in life sciences. 69% in biology.

Results?

89% 89% 98% 98% 75% 75%

of New Techs outperformed the 9th grade reading levels of their comparison sites.

of New Tech seniors who applied for college were accepted. (2008/09)

Source: NewTechNetwork.org

Percentage of students with passing gradesSample results from one Texas New Tech – 2008

Local High School

TexasAverage

Local New Tech

Source: Texas Education Agency — Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skill (TAKS)

IS NEW TECH RIGHT FOR YOU?Section 4

TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOLThe Old Classroom

• Information is filtered and limited to what is provided by teacher and textbook.

• Information is unfiltered, abundant and accessible from many sources.

• Students memorize information and are seldom asked to solve problems creatively.

• Student are engaged to use what they learn to solve problems in creative ways.

• Learning is done one subject at a time, not always applicable to the real world.

• Content is integrated with other subjects and is tailored to address real-world issues.

• Students work primarily alone. • Students almost always problem solve as a team.

NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOLThe Classroom Redesigned

• Largest concentration of New Tech High Schools in the country.

• Focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in NE Indiana.

• Addresses a real need for STEM talent in our region…

New Tech in Northeast Indiana

Why a Focus on STEM?

• Northeast Indiana is a national hub for STEM careers- Defense & Aerospace- Advanced Manufacturing- Medical Device Developers & Manufacturers

• Students graduating from New Tech High Schools in NE Indiana are poised for these high paying careers.

• New Tech isn’t only for students interested in STEM. Students are well-prepared for almost any career field.

New Tech raises the bar of educational achievement. Not everyone is going to become an engineer, but there’s no reason the bar can’t be raised for everyone.”

Bruce MenshyDirector of Operations, Raytheon Co., Fort Wayne

“

• Teamwork, accountability, critical thinking—valuable in any career.

• New Tech students still participate in sports, the arts and other extra-curricular activities.

• You have a choice in your education.

Raising the Bar for All Students

Redefine Your Education.By choosing New Tech, you choose an immersive, hands-on education that will prepare you for virtually any career field or entry into university or college.