What to Expect

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Entry Event and Need-to-Knows

Each project will begin with an entry event or document that sets the stage for the project. Working virtually, you and your classmates will share known information (Knows), as well as questions that emerge (Need to Knows, or NTKs). You'll record these in a shared space to revisit throughout the project.

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Project TeamsYou'll be assigned to work on a project team with other students in the course. Since your teammates are likely to be at other schools (and even in other time zones!), you'll need to use online tools like chats, virtual meetings*, and Google Documents to coordinate and collaborate with your team members. At the beginning of each project, you'll work with your team to develop a contract to clarify expectations and ensure that your teamwork is a success..* See the Using Blackboard Collaborate section of this module to learn more about using online tools to meet with your team members.

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Weekly Agendas, Tasks, & Time Commitment

Your online facilitator will send you an email at the beginning of each week, reviewing the concepts and milestones from the previous week and letting you know about deadlines, workshops, and tasks for the coming week. These workshops and tasks will be shaped by the NTKs that you and your classmates generate. This same information will appear in the Agenda on your course home page.Since these courses are project-based, the amount of time you spend each week will vary. That said, you should plan to allocate at least five to seven hours to Digital Learning @ NTN coursework each week.

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Virtual MeetingsYour online facilitator will want to meet with you virtually on a regular basis to gather and address new NTKs, help you with content and skills, and guide discussions with your classmates. In some cases, you might meet as a whole class. In other cases, your facilitator might meet with you in smaller groups-- either with your project team, or with a mix of students from different project teams.

The days and times for these meetings will be posted on the weekly agenda in Echo. If you need help but can't attend your facilitator's office hours, feel free to email your facilitator and set up another time to meet.

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Grading and Feedback

One aspect that makes New Tech schools really special is the fact that students are taught and assessed on core life and work skills in addition to content. Digital Learning @ NTN is no exception. As you work through your course, you'll receive specific feedback-- and grades-- on how you work individually and in teams, how you communicate with others, and how you reflect, reason, and inquire. Since learning online is a little different, you'll notice that the Schoolwide Learning Outcomes for your Digital Learning @ NTN courses look different too. See the DL @ NTN Learning Outcomes section of this module to learn more about the life and work skills that we'll be working on in these courses.

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Online Discussions

Throughout your Digital Learning @ NTN courses, you'll participate regularly in threaded online discussions with classmates. These discussions might ask you to reflect on content and process, to brainstorm and share ideas, or to discuss your opinion on a controversial topic or issue. Active participation in online discussions (this includes posting responses and questions for classmates!) is an essential component of your participation in Digital Learning @ NTN courses. Make sure to review the Guidelines for Effective Online Discussions (attached) and to allow time for this work throughout the course.

Project Presentations

At the end of each project, you and your group will have produced a product and will be asked to share that product with an audience. This presentation might look a little different online than it does in the face-to-face classroom-- it could take the form of a live webinar, a video with comments, a podcast with Q & A, or an online mock trial. Regardless of the format, you'll need to be prepared to share your work, explain your thinking, and respond to questions about your work.

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