What are the five New Tech Network Learning Outcomes?

A key Focus Area in the NTN model is the use of College and Career Ready Outcomes. There are five research-based NTN student learning outcomes (NTLOs) aimed at preparing students for postsecondary college and career success.  Grounded in the work of David Conley and Camille Farrington, NTN found that when teachers define, scaffold, and assess learning in the five New Tech Learning Outcomes – Knowledge and Thinking, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Collaboration and Agency – students can acquire necessary readiness skills.

KNOWLEDGE AND THINKING
Knowledge and Thinking skills are grounded in the ability to reason, problem-solve, develop sound arguments or decisions, and create new ideas by using appropriate sources and applying the knowledge and skills of a discipline. As students gain momentum in Knowledge and Thinking they are empowered to discover the truth in assertions, to think critically, and to become knowledgeable about the world around them. The Knowledge and Thinking rubrics are aligned to academic disciplines such as English textual analysis, English research and argumentation, social studies argumentation and explanation, science explanation, science research and mathematical problem-solving.

ORAL COMMUNICATION
Oral Communication is the ability to effectively communicate knowledge and thinking, and engage in clear, thoughtful dialogue through group conversations and presentations. Oral Communication is vital for a student's social academic success. Furthermore, effective verbal communication empowers students to advocate for themselves, ask relevant questions, and communicate clearly.  The Oral Communication rubrics consider interpersonal communication, presentation, and delivery.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Written Communication is the ability to effectively communicate knowledge and thinking through writing. Students organize and structure ideas in writing while using discipline appropriate language and conventions. Building written communication skills empower students to effectively communicate their ideas, share their voice, and advocate for their learning. The Written Communication rubrics consider development, organization and language/conventions.

COLLABORATION
Collaboration asks students to consider both, how they individually contribute, and how a group works together.  Collaboration helps students not only develop their academic and social skills but also help contribute to a learning community. Collaboration fosters a student’s ability to engage in a learning environment that is authentic, active, relational, responsive and complex. The Collaboration rubrics provide an opportunity to both reflect individually and as a group. 

AGENCY
Agency is a combination of academic mindset and the ability to take ownership over one’s own learning. Through developing agency, students will be empowered to actively engage, advocate for themselves, and leverage the skills they need to thrive. The Agency rubric calls on critical self-reflection and learning around skills such as persistence. There are eleven different skills that are considered on the Agency rubrics.

Learning Outcomes in the Classroom:
In order to support a deeper understanding of the New Tech Learning Outcomes and how they are assessed, NTN worked with SCALE, from Stanford University, to design the NTN Learning Outcome Rubrics that can be used throughout the year.    For teachers, the project planning toolkit is a way to plan ahead which NTLOs are relevant to a particular project and how they will be taught and ultimately assessed.  See the Learning Outcomes Card Set for a deeper dive into the outcomes and how to support them in the classroom.

These Outcomes that Matter are an essential component of the project and problem-based learning curriculum and instruction model used by every NTN school. NTN'S learning management platform, Echo, is designed to allow teachers the ability to provide feedback and support to students across each outcome. When teachers intentionally design, scaffold and assess students in the NTLOs, students will be prepared for both college and career opportunities that follow their postsecondary experience.

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