RSD board learns about New Tech

The Russellville School Board viewed a presentation Tuesday about the New Tech learning system — a program the district is considering implementing.

Superintendent Randall Williams told board members New Tech representatives have visited Russellville High School and have approved it as a prospective site.

The program is designed to incorporate skills for college and career readiness into the high school curriculum, James Foster, director of instructional technology, said.

“This is a whole new way of thinking,” he said.

New Tech was founded as a nonprofit organization by a community whose high school graduates did not have the skills to meet the demands of the local economy, Foster said. The program is comprised of three components — learning is conducted through context, use of technology and school culture.

In a New Tech classroom, students are presented information that is relevant, all students have computers and work is disseminated through an online learning management system. In addition, Foster said the culture is different. Students take ownership of the learning process and an environment of trust, respect and responsibility is created.

In addition, Foster said students in the New Tech classroom are co-taught by pairs of teachers, combining two different fields of study, and students are able to connect with prior learning.

Currently, this program is in place at 86 high schools in 16 states, he said, including two in Arkansas.

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