1. Experiential Learning: Taking students beyond the classroom
Dr. Aimee Wyatt
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

2. Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is the process of making meaning from direct experience. At MNPS, we believe that our high school students are more engaged in the learning process if they are able to reflect on activities they have experienced which have direct correlation to the curriculum being taught in the classroom.

4. Alignment of Experiences
Experiences in the Academies of Nashville are aligned to help students narrow their focus during the course of their high school education. Students who are more informed are more likely to graduate, set higher goals for themselves, and better understand the realities of life beyond high school.

6. What is a Capstone Project?
Capstone Project – 4 component project that is based in research and real-world experience
Students enroll in a 1 credit course with a capstone advisor
Students have option of
taking the course on-line.

7. Why do it? MNPS Education 2018 Strategic Plan State Requirement
5 characteristics of a graduate
Post-secondary connections
21st century skills (4 Cs)

8. But how do we go about doing this
But how do we go about doing this? Our Theory of System Change explains our approach and circles back to the personalized learning and three key strategies we discussed earlier.
Personalized learning is our lever of change. When we personalize learning, our students will grow, achieve and be empowered, which will lead to student success in college, career and life.
The more we transform, and focus on our three core strategies of quality teaching, transformational leadership and excellence for all – the more our students will succeed.
The educational support system is the base for our lever and it includes
The Board of Education,
The district’s central office,
Parents and families,
Community partners, and
The community as a whole.
All of us play a role in these efforts and we will all share in our students’ success

9. Our high school graduates will all have a plan for post-secondary education and career and will score at least a 990 on the SAT or a 21 composite on the ACT, which is a requirement for Tennessee’s HOPE scholarship. They will have completed at least one course online, which will help them prepare for online learning in higher education and on the job. They will have a work-based or service learning experience of a capstone project and they will have earned either college credit or a nationally recognized professional certification.

10. 4 Cs – 21st century skills Critical Thinking Collaboration
Communication
Creativity

11. Background
Prior to 2013, approximately 2-3% of students were obtaining internships and work-based learning experiences.
2013 district pilot - 16 schools – 12 zoned and 4 magnet
Capstone Manual created – can look different for each school, but there are minimum expectations for all
63% of all seniors in the district were enrolled in a capstone course in

12.
Learned that we needed fewer course codes with more flexibility
Blended Learning and Virtual course
16 Lead Capstone teachers meet monthly
90% of all seniors are enrolled in a capstone course
Created capstone website

13. What are Capstone Courses?
AP Capstone (Hillwood and Hume Fogg)
Approaches to Learning II (IB Capstone)
AVID IV (Antioch)
Clinical Internship
Theory of Knowledge II (IB Capstone)
ISR IV (Hillsboro and Stratford)
Senior Capstone
Work-Based Learning (Hunters Lane)
*Updated annually

14. Project Types Community Service Extended Observation Internship
Research Project
Senior Showcase
Service Learning
Work-Based Learning

15. Project Advisement Not required to stay within Academy theme
Advisors don’t say “NO”
System of support throughout the school
Juniors are allowed to submit project topics as early as January and are required to attend a minimum of one senior presentation

16. The Capstone Manual Minimum requirements Guideline, not a lesson plan
District expectations
Forms and Templates
Schools should personalize
Updated annually and placed on MNPS teacher portal

17. Project Components
The 4 Ps:
Paper
Product
Portfolio
Presentation

18. Communication Posted on school website Parent contract
Student and teacher friendly format
Parent contract
Have community on presentation panels
Student meetings for next year’s seniors (held by February each year)
Alignment Nashville (website)

19. Differentiation Flexibility – no one way to do this!
Student voice and choice
SPED modifications
EL modifications
Advanced coursework and additional expectations

20. What is the teacher’s role?
Facilitator/Connector - allow for student voice and choice, make resource connections
Teacher – research, organizational and presentation skills, 4Cs, assessing progress
Mentor/Advisor – giving options and suggestions, narrowing focus when needed, providing support
Organizer/Documenter – presentation panels, data entry on project information

21. Advising Work along side students to determine projects
Moral/ethical implications
Ensuring that the project challenges the student (no matter their current achievement level)
When in doubt, work as a team with other staff members

22. Experiential Hours Self-Placement preferred
During school day versus outside of school – dependent on:
Type of project
Master schedule
Principal’s decision
Student maintains and submits documentation
You make determination if they are acceptable – communicate with students

23. Experiential Hours YES Intern (paid/unpaid)
Shadow (related to project)
Interviewing experts
Learning a new skill
Providing a service that is challenging or new to student NO
Hours used to create their product
Time spent researching for their paper
Providing service that is not challenging or related to project

26. Blended Learning Blackboard layout Flexible scheduling
Digital portfolio
Teacher onboarding/training

27. Assessment Calendar guideline Component rubrics Overall rubric
Collaboration in assessing
Flexibility in grading – grades “in progress”

28. _____________ High School Capstone Project 2015
Capstone Project Final Rubric
Total Points Earned for Capstone Project: ___________/1000
In order to complete the capstone course satisfactorily, a student must complete all four parts successfully and earn no less than 700 points.

29. Final Presentations Include Junior students
Panel consists of teachers, administrators, and business partners
Invite parents – formal invitations
Must utilize technology
Must present portfolio and product
Reflection on the entire process

30. Project Recognition Site-Based suggestions District suggestions
Include in graduation programs or slide shows
Awards for top projects
District suggestions
Top project from each school to present at public forum

31. Contact information
Dr. Aimee Wyatt Executive Lead Principal for Secondary Schools Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools