APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL APPLICATION BELTON NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL @ WASKOW Belton TX Location Belton, Texas Change. Create. Innovate. Inspire. Learn. These are the words that come to mind when entering the halls of Belton New Tech High School @Waskow. Learners are equipped with the technology tools to achieve school-wide learner outcomes preparing them to be thinkers, creators, speakers and leaders.
1 Visionary Leadership Shared Leadership Providing learning embedded with 21st Century Skills requires thinking differently about the needs of the current generation. To evolve our schools for our students, we collaborated as shared leaders with learners, teachers, administrators, school board members, community members and business leaders seeking effective innovative programs nationwide as models for Belton Independent School District. Teams attended site visits exploring options for innovation at the secondary level. For students to compete in a global economy, educational experiences needed to include more than the rigorous academic skills already provided. In addition to strong literacy and math skills, students needed opportunities to use critical thinking skills, problem solving and creativity as a regular part of their learning. To design an innovative approach to education, we worked together to develop our vision for a new high school experience. With this in mind, Belton New Tech High School @Waskow (BNTH@W) was created. Individual Leadership For the last decade, Belton ISD has been led with the visionary leadership of the superintendent, Dr. Susan Kincannon, who set a vision for the district to seek creative and innovative programs promoting academic rigor and engagement for learning for all students. With vast amounts 2
of information available today, Dr. Kincannon articulates a vision to provide digital access in a platform that promotes engaged student learning in an innovative and creative way. Community Engagement To create the vision, Belton ISD chose four key partners: the New Tech Network, SHW Group Architects, Belton Area Chamber of Commerce and Apple. To provide the instructional model that supports a small school, project-based learning and innovative instructional approaches, Belton ISD adopted the New Tech Network s approach to instructional design. Founded on principles of projectbased learning, research with the Buck Institute, and a strong school culture model, the approach was a natural fit. To support the instructional model, SHW architects designed an instructional facility that allows for collaboration and innovation with glass walls and flexible spaces. The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce and businesses like Harvest Technologies serve as our educational partners by providing real-world experiences for students with speakers, feedback on student-projects, and future internships. With the instructional model, school facility, and community support in place, Apple became the critical partner providing the instructional tools for learners to create, research, design and share projects based on state standards and 21st Century Skills. Together, district and campus leaders developed the vision of BNTH@W. We believe in learning that encourages creativity and innovation by challenging everyone to use their collaborative voice to achieve excellence. 21st Century SKILLS 3
2 Innovative Learning and Teaching Student Learning The project-based learning (PBL) process allows learning to be a personal experience for every student. Students drive the inquiry process through problem solving, research, and reflection centered around a guiding question or problem. Learning is hands-on using essential tools like MacBook Pros to provide access to global resources along with the ability to create and design realistic products and presentations that reflect a deeper learner of content. Students develop solutions through inquiry, collaboration, and questioning. Within the development of projects, there is some degree of student voice and choice to design the path of learning. Students also learn to work in groups to establish group norms, individual contributions, and expected learning outcomes. Learning becomes personal as each individual enhances the group with their specific areas of expertise and interests. Given the ability to make choices and use their voice, students become more engaged in learning. Instructional Practices As master learners, the faculty expertly guide students through difficult and complex tasks. PBL challenges teachers to design innovative, meaningful projects that interest learners. With the teacher as a facilitator of learning, students apply knowledge and skills to solve relevant problems. The role of the teacher is drastically different in a PBL classroom void of the traditional sage on the stage. Teachers are partners in learning, available to guide and facilitate the learning process focused on student inquiry. 4
Curriculum Design Innovative and rigorous curriculum, designed to leverage technology, serves as the cornerstone for student projects. Inquiry-based project design expects students to seek knowledge enhanced by their personal interests. With Belton New Tech offers a unique learning environment. Students are challenged to think outside the box and be creative. It embraces team work and collaboration mimicking real-life work Amee Tuggle Parent projects centered around a driving question or challenge, students access to technology is essential to support their research needs. With the 1:1 technology initiative on the campus, students can use MacBook Pros to research, create, and design projects while collaborating with one another. innovation, and professional ethics. These 21st Century Skills give students the edge they need to compete in a global economy. Crystal Expo Project Geometry & Chemistry Students have access to vast amounts of global information from varied perspectives. Without this technology, students would be limited to static information. At Belton New Tech High School @Waskow, students are assessed through learner outcomes measuring content knowledge, oral presentation, written communication, 5
3 Ongoing Professional Peer Feedback Project planning Relevant and Timely Professional Development An investment in teachers is an investment in students. With our commitment to project-based learning (PBL), teachers acquire the training, resources and coaching they need to design, implement and facilitate projects. With a cycle of reflection, experimentation, and sharing, they design projects to meet student needs. Beginning with the academic standards, teachers brainstorm project ideas for instruction. Teachers and students serve as thought partners with one another to create an initial idea for the project. With the learning goals in mind, teachers then develop rubrics identifying student outcomes. Prior to project implementation, teachers participate in a reflection process which engages colleagues in conversations regarding likes, wonders, and next steps for the project. Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher. - Japanese Proverb As pioneers for PBL in Belton Independent School District, our faculty discover and experiment with projects that foster student learning. They continually improve projects with collaboration, feedback and revision. 6
With a commitment to the professional growth and investment in superb classroom teachers, we hope to provide the best for students. By providing on-going, extensive professional development to all faculty on a regular basis, we model lifelong learning. These learning opportunities occur with face-to-face experiences as well as the use of virtual learning through FaceTime and Skype. In addition, each faculty member participates in a national professional learning community with other PBL staff members, specific to their content area. Teachers also receive support from two campus instructional facilitators who provide daily on-site coaching and mentoring. This system of professional development is supported with designated planning days that afford teachers the time to design, create and collaborate. And through the partnership with the New Tech Network, each teacher receives additional coaching. the learning at BNTH@W. Through our professional learning communities, team teaching and coaching we learn together to ensure student success. Here at Belton New Tech we have continuous professional development before, during, and after learning takes place. This ongoing approach constantly sparks new ideas for me. As a result, I frequently change the way I teach to support student learning. "" -- Gina Taber, Teacher " With all the coaching and professional development provided, each teacher participates in over one hundred hours of professional development support each year. The sharing of ideas and projects is crucial to the development of 7
4 Compelling Evidence of Success Quantitative BNTH@W scored higher than Texas state averages in all content areas (English, math, science and social studies). Increases in student engagement appear to have led to an average attendance rate of 95% and a zero drop-out rate. Most importantly, 99% of BNTH@W students are on track to complete high school course credits within 4 years. After attending BNTH@W for a year, approximately 92% of students choose to return to the project-based learning model versus traditional high school. 92% 99% 95% PBL CHOOSE ATTENDANCE 99 percent of all students at Belton New Tech High School @Waskow are on track to complete high school course credits within 4 years 87% The average graduation rate of high school students in the state of Texas was 87 percent Partnerships between students and community members further contribute to student learning. Sixteen partnerships were created with businesses and higher education programs to provide evaluation of projects, assistance in planning projects, and local expertise through guest speakers and webinars. These partners also provide 8
donations and instructional resources to support project development. In the future, businesses are prepared to provide job shadowing opportunities to give students realworld experiences for future career possibilities. In return, students gave back to their community with over 2300 hours of community service. Qualitative Anecdotal evidence from professionals, parents and the community reflects our students success. Our Director of Human Resources Staffing said, The poise and professionalism demonstrated by these students rivaled that of the adults we intverview for job positions. I was very impressed with their ability to articulate their responses clearly and provide answers to a variety of questions. Parents have resonated with comments like My child loves school for the first time and He comes home and tells me what he is learning and that has never happened! While the quantitative data show the successes in numbers, a critical mission of learning and the love of learning can be found in the emotional connection made by students. When parents and students camp out for school, and not your typical rock concert, we know the message of learning is catching on. We re getting a head start for the future by knowing how to work in groups and use technology. We ll be successful in the work place more than those who have traditional high school. " " " " " " Morgan Callin, 9th grade Click picture to see campout story! 9
5 Flexible Learning Environment Welcome to the inside of Belton New Tech High School @Waskow, where the learning environment is flexible, collaborative and innovative. School Design and Facilities Belton Independent School District leaders shared a vision with SHW Group architects to design a facility that supports creative, innovative and Photo courtesy of Luis Ayala & Elena Grey collaborative learning resulting from the use of technology in a project-based learning environment. Taking an existing space segmented with walls and confined learning spaces, SHW completely renovated the traditional building to create a learning environment filled with glass walls and spaces for collaboration. Open common areas and comfortable spaces embedded in hallways create inviting areas for working in small groups. Designed to look and feel like a professional environment, the atmosphere supports responsibility and ownership in learning. When the majority of students leave campus at least once during the school day to participate in activities and classes at other school sites, flexible scheduling is critical. Students are assigned independent study times, where they can work on projects outside of direct classroom teaching. Flipped classroom teaching allows students to receive direct instruction with the support of technology, maximizing class time for individualized support. Opening classroom activities, agendas and lectures accessible through an online learning 10
management system, allow the flexibility for any-time access by students and parents. Nontraditional scheduling allows students opportunities to use time during the day to work on projects, seek extra help, and audit a second classperiod in a content area where they may be struggling. Learning opportunities also extend outside the school walls, with presentations conducted at school conferences, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fairs, and to visitors on campus. In general, our approach to the structure and schedule at BNTH@W is often centered on the question Why not? Looking at options as possibilities rather than limitations increases the flexibility of the educational approach. Information Technology (IT) We provide students a MacBook Pro to use from their freshman year until graduation. To support the 1:1 technology initiative, adequate servers and bandwidth ensure continual high-speed connectivity. With encouragement from leadership and staff, students bring additional devices such as ipads, ipods, and iphones to support teaching and learning through projects. All freshmen take a year-long Digital Media course to acquire the tools to create unique projects in core academic courses. The school culture is grounded in principles of trust, respect and responsibility. Rather than limiting Internet accessibility, faculty and staff continually teach students how to use their access to technology to enhance knowledge and learning. A variety of technology resources are used to help students discover new learning, embrace innovation and create solutions for real problems. Adobe programs such as Premiere and Audition allow students to excel with video editing and audio engineering. Students learn to create 3D models and animation with the use of Autodesk Maya. Collaboration skills are enhanced with the use of FaceTime and Google Apps. Students are also taught how to decipher sources for credibility and authenticity of information to produce valid, quality products. 11
6 Contribution and Credits The administration and a majority of the faculty possess the ability and are willing to articulate how they use Apple products in alignment with the five best practices as it applies to our school s technology implementation program. School Liaison Full Name:" Dr. Deanna Lovesmith Position:" " Principal Email:" " deanna.lovesmith@bisd.net The school liaison and the following people are willing and able to address these areas. 1. Visionary Leadership Full Name: " Dr. Vivian Baker Position:" " District Shepherd" " " Email:" " vivian.baker@bisd.net 2. Innovative Learning and Teaching Full Name:" Dr. Deanna Lovesmith Position:" " Principal Email:" " deanna.lovesmith@bisd.net 3. Relevant and Timely Professional Development Full Name:" Mrs. Susan Sobehrad Position:" " Instructional Facilitator Email:" " susan.sobehrad@bisd.net 4. Compelling Evidence of Success BELTON NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL @ WASKOW Full Name:" Mrs. Dawn Schiller Position:" " TTIPS Grant Coordinator Email:" " dawn.schiller@bisd.net 5. Flexible Learning Environment Full Name:" Mr. Stephen Jehl Position:" " Instructional Facilitator Email:" " stephen.jehl@bisd.net 12
1:1 technology initiative A 1:1 technology initiative in a school ensures that every student has their own technology device to use. At BNTH@W, all students are provided a MacBook Pro to use during their high school years. Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
21 st Century Skills At BNTH@W, 21 st Century Skills are defined as professional ethics, written communication, oral presentation, innovation, and content knowledge. Content knowledge, Innovation, Oral presentation, Professional ethics, Written communication Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization whose members are area businesses in Belton, Texas. The focus of the organization is to help local businesses grow. For BNTH@W, the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a business partner providing feedback on projects and access to contacts for local business partners and future internships. Source: http://www.beltonchamber.com Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership
Campout BNTH@W accepts up to 125 students each year. The first 65 students in line the morning of registration are enrolled, with the remaining 60 drawn through a lottery process. Parents and students began camping out 41 hours prior to registration in an effort to secure a spot for the 2012-2013 school year. To see the news coverage of this event: http://www.kcentv.com/story/17242887/ parents-camp-overnight-for-school-enrollment?clienttype=printable Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Compelling Evidence of Success
Content knowledge Content knowledge is a BNTH@W learner outcome that expects the student to demonstrate a mastery of the required curriculum through rigorous, engaging, and relevant learning experiences and authentic assessments. 21st Century Skills Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Direct instruction Direct Instruction is an approach to teaching. It is skills-oriented, and the teaching practices it implies are teacher-directed. It emphasizes the use of small-group, face-toface instruction by teachers and aides using carefully articulated lessons in which cognitive skills are broken down into small units, sequenced deliberately, and taught explicitly (see Carnine, 2000, pp. 5-6; Traub, 1999). Source: http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-direct-instruction/ Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
FaceTime FaceTime is an application available from Apple that allows you to make video calls from one Apple device to another. For more information: http://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/ Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
Flipped classroom teaching Flipped classroom teaching is a concept where teachers provide access to direct teaching and lectures through videos or podcasts. Students watch the lecture outside of class in order to spend class time applying knowledge with hands-on tasks. Teachers use class time to provide direct support instead of direct teaching. Source: http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/ Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
imovie imovie is a video editing application that allows you to edit and design movies using Apple products. For more information: http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/ Drag related terms here
Innovation Innovation is a BNTH@W learner outcome that expects the student to acquire and demonstrate technology skills necessary to initiate artistic and innovative solutions to problems. 21st Century Skills Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Inquiry Through the process of inquiry, individuals construct their own understanding of the natural and human-designed worlds. Inquiry implies a "need or want to know, and is not so much seeking the right answer as seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues. Inquiry implies emphasis on the development of inquiry skills and the nurturing of inquiring attitudes or habits of mind that will enable individuals to continue the quest for knowledge throughout life. Source: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Likes, wonders and next steps Teachers provide feedback to one another through a Critical Friends process using the statement stems I like, I wonder, and suggested Next steps. This process is part of the New Tech Network s approach to providing each other constructive feedback. Source: http://www.newtechnetwork.org/blog/not-your-typical-training Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
New Tech Network New Tech Network is a nonprofit organization that transforms schools into innovative learning environments. Our project-based teaching approach engages students with dynamic, rigorous curriculum. Through extensive professional development and hands-on coaching, our teachers evolve from keepers of knowledge to facilitators of rich, relevant learning. New Tech Network is re-imagining education and the student accomplishments speak volumes. Source: http://www.newtechnetwork.org Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
Nontraditional scheduling A nontraditional scheduling approach at BNTH@W, allows for flexibility from the traditional 7 class period schedule in Belton s secondary schools. BNTH@W has a 9 period schedule that includes flex-time to allow students to take classes off-campus or independent student times where students are responsible for working on projects based on their need. In addition, the flexible schedule allows students to audit classes if needed. Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
Oral presentation Oral presentation is a BNTH@W learner outcome that expects the student to clearly articulate ideas in a manner appropriate to audience, setting, and occasion. 21st Century Skills Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Professional ethics Professional ethics is a BNTH@W learner outcome that expects the student to use respect and integrity to demonstrate responsibility through time management, organization and leadership with the commitment to sharing in the learning process. 21st Century Skills Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching
Project-based learning A type of learning where teachers present a driving question or challenge. Students then begin an inquiry process assessing what they know and need to know about the topic. Students collaborate with one another to answer the driving question through research. Findings are presented to classroom, school and community representatives. Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
Rubrics Rubrics are used to measure student success on learner outcomes within a classroom project. A set of criteria and standards are linked to learner outcomes that are used to assess student performance. Source: http://www.bisd.net/cms/lib02/tx01001322/centricity/domain/1141/ Learner_Outcomes_Final-2.pdf Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
SHW Group Architects SHW Group is one of the leading architectural, engineering, and planning firms in the nation. Founded in 1945, SHW has grown to more than 250 employees and eight offices nationwide. Today, they are consistently ranked by Engineering News Record as one of the top five firms in educational facility design. Source: http://www.shwgroup.com Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Visionary Leadership Chapter 1 - Flexible Learning Environment
SketchUp Pro SketchUp Pro is 3D modeling software for professionals. SketchUp is easy and intuitive, allowing anyone to model in 3D quickly and accurately. Using 3D models, designers can make more informed decisions, communicate project details, and share ideas with other learners to reach a common goal. Source: http://www.sketchup.com/product/gsup.html Drag related terms here
Skype Skype is a software application that allows you to make video calls using the Internet. For more information: http://www.skype.com Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
Thought partners A thought partner is someone who: 1. Challenges your thinking. 2. Causes you to modify or change your paradigms, assumptions or action 3. Has information or a way of thinking that provokes you to innovate or otherwise leads to value creation in your business, career or life. Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/barbarastanny/2012/06/19/a-fascinating-newconcept-how-thought-partners-add-value-to-your-business/ Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
Virtual learning A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a set of teaching and learning tools designed to enhance a student's learning experience by including computers and the Internet in the learning process. Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-learning-environment-vle-ormanaged-learning-environment-mle Drag related terms here Chapter 1 - Ongoing Professional Learning
Written communication Written communication is a BNTH@W learner outcome that expects the student to use standard conventions of grammar and rhetoric to produce clear, concise and logical writing appropriate for a variety of audiences. 21st Century Skills Chapter 1 - Innovative Learning and Teaching