"Phil Schlecty (1994), says students who are engaged exhibit three characteristics: (1) they are attracted to their work, (2) they persist in their work despite challenges and obstacles, and (3) they take visible delight in accomplishing their work" (Strong, Silver, & Robinson, 1995). As I read Levin & Scrum's (2012) description of New Tech High School, I could see each of these characteristics being exhibited on their campus. Kennedy et al. (2006) (as cited in Papa, 2011) stated that schools are not prepared to educate a new generation of students who are well-versed in emerging technology, and this is incompatible with current teaching practices (p. 131). The New Tech High School in Napa Valley, utilized advanced technological and teaching
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The curriculum structure at New Tech is conducive in providing the foundation that students will need in the workforce. New Tech's eight learning goals are technology literacy, work ethics, critical thinking, collaboration, career preparation, written communication, oral communication, and curricular literacy. As students work on projects teachers, use these goals to assess student outcomes. Furthermore, despite the lack of emphasis on standardized test, students receive top state honors on the state standardized assessment (Levin & Schrum, 2012, pp. 165-167). New Tech's accomplishments are a testimony that engaging this generation will take utilizing non-traditional teaching methods that harness the power of technology as an instrument to empower …show more content…
David states that project-based learning can improve student learning; however, it's hard to implement, and educators should take caution in embracing this practice unless the conditions for success are in place, including strong school support, access to well-developed projects, and a collaborative culture for teachers and students (David, 2008). These elements were all present on the New Tech Campus. Most courses were taught using an integrative co-teaching model, teacher's learned PBL by experiencing it themselves, and they got an opportunity to attend the New Tech Network conference to develop as a PBL facilitator
The curriculum structure at New Tech is conducive in providing the foundation that students will need in the workforce. New Tech's eight learning goals are technology literacy, work ethics, critical thinking, collaboration, career preparation, written communication, oral communication, and curricular literacy. As students work on projects teachers, use these goals to assess student outcomes. Furthermore, despite the lack of emphasis on standardized test, students receive top state honors on the state standardized assessment (Levin & Schrum, 2012, pp. 165-167). New Tech's accomplishments are a testimony that engaging this generation will take utilizing non-traditional teaching methods that harness the power of technology as an instrument to empower …show more content…
David states that project-based learning can improve student learning; however, it's hard to implement, and educators should take caution in embracing this practice unless the conditions for success are in place, including strong school support, access to well-developed projects, and a collaborative culture for teachers and students (David, 2008). These elements were all present on the New Tech Campus. Most courses were taught using an integrative co-teaching model, teacher's learned PBL by experiencing it themselves, and they got an opportunity to attend the New Tech Network conference to develop as a PBL facilitator