Each project will begin with an entry document that shares known information and questions. Students will be assigned to virtual project teams to collaborate using online tools. The facilitator will send weekly agendas outlining deadlines, workshops, and tasks for the coming week based on questions generated. Students should plan to spend 5-7 hours per week on coursework, and will receive feedback and grades on life and work skills as well as content. At the end of each project, student teams will present their work to an audience using an online format.

1. What to Expect
Photo Credit: Helga Weber (cc)

2. 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.
Photo Credit: Fortimbras (cc)

3. Project Teams
You'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.
Photo Credit: Alfonsator (cc)

4. 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.
Photo Credit: mt23 (cc)

5. Virtual Meetings
Your 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.
Photo Credit: Donald Clark (cc)

6. 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.
Photo Credit: HikingArtist.com (cc)

7. 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.

8. 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.
Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk (cc)