Alexandra Briggs, Pittsfield, NH

Start with your success 1.Reflect on and write a short description of a meaningful learning experience in your life. Note what it is about the practice that makes it so successful. 2.In groups of 3, the first person shares their meaningful learning experience and why it is so successful. 3.The group of 3 discusses how this practice is different from what is typically considered a good learning experience. 4.Each of the other three members of the group shares their meaningful learning experiences and why it is so successful.

Synthesize Best Practices

ELO Process ELO PLANELO EXPERIENCE FINAL EXHIBITION OF LEARNING TO DETERMINE MASTERY OF COMPETENCIES

In fact, ELOs can be: individual orgroup-based school-basedorlarger community student initiatedor adult initiated large scaleorsmall scale tied to a classorextracurricular In ANY discipline For ANY student

providing rich experiences Engage students by through meaningful contexts that develop students’ competence and confidence as measured by observation and feedback Address competencies through guiding essential questions explored in authentic context supported by content and skill development evaluated through learning assessments Community Based Group Experiences School Based Group Experiences

Student(s) ELO Coordinator (21 st CCLC) Community Partner Highly Qualified Teacher ELO Planning

Categories of ELOs Interest-driven ELOs – creative, highly personalized, beyond-the-classroom experiences. Student-support-driven ELOs – flexible responses to students’ academic or social support needs. Integration-driven ELOs – bringing existing programming under the ELO tent. ~Executive Summary: Final Report of Evaluation Findings May 2011, UMass Donohue Institute

Best Practices All students have access and the support/resources they need for proper implementation Student constructs meaning and produces knowledge Student uses disciplined inquiry to construct meaning Student needs and interests are key There is a vetted community partner/adult Learning team for each student Assessment strategies and grading criteria are defined up front There is a qualified facilitator overseeing the process

The Six A’s of Designing Successful Projects Authenticity Projects use a real world context (e.g., community and workplace problems) and address issues that matter to the students Academic Rigor Projects address key learning standards identified by the school or district and helps students develop habits of mind and work associated with academic and professional disciplines.

Applied Learning Projects engage students in solving semi- structured problems calling for competencies expected in high-performance work organizations (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving, communication, etc.)

Active Exploration Projects extend beyond the classroom and connect to work internships, field based investigations, and community explorations. Adult Connections Projects connect students with adult mentors and coaches from the wider community.

Assessment Practices Projects involve students in regular exhibitions and assessments of their work in light of personal, school and real-world standards of performance.

Online Resources BeyondClassroom.org

Please contact us at: Alexandra Briggs, Pittsfield, NH Sheila Ward, Pittsfield, NH Thank You