About

 


Who we are. . .

A 1st grade class leaves the school grounds to explore environmental issues surrounding the city’s water supply and local stream, then posts its findings online to raise community awareness. Students in rural Vermont get out into their community to document damage caused by Hurricane Irene, then use a website to exhibit these stories at their local history museum. These are two examples of 21st century learning projects supported through the Model Classroom Program.

The Model Classroom is a nationwide community of educators working together to develop strategies to extend and recognize the learning that takes place outside the classroom. It begins with a professional development workshop where educators are invited to carefully examine and describe their own teaching practice. They then consider how that practice would change if their students were required to identify and develop solutions to authentic problems in their communities. What resources would they bring to bear? Would they partner with community organizations or experts? How would they incorporate today’s digital technologies and social networks? How would they use the greater context of addressing these real world problems to cultivate critical thinking habits as well as reinforce reading, math and other fundamental skills?
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During a Model Classroom workshop, teachers participate in a set of missions that take them out into the community so that they can experience firsthand, the excitement of discovering opportunities for learning - much in the same way their students will. They share their experiences with colleagues and then develop and document project ideas to take back to the classroom.

Unlike other professional development, the Model Classroom program encourages educators to continue to work and communicate with the New Learning Institute. NLI consults, provides program support, and shares the best practices that educators develop as part of successfully implementing their projects.

Model Classroom educators ask students to be creative problem solvers, sensibly deploy digital media, and embrace civic engagement as a pathway to becoming ingenious and resourceful 21st century learners.

 

The Model Classroom Team
Tiffany

Tiffany McGettigan is a program lead for the Model Classroom Program and New Learning Institute programs at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Tiffany has a B.A. (Humanistic Studies) from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN). She began her career in education as a Teach for America 4th grade teacher in Washington, DC. She went on to receive a masters degree in Museum Education from The George Washington University, and spent several years developing educational programming for the White House Historical Association. When she’s not dreaming up inspiring programs, she enjoys shopping at farmers markets, cooking, and spending time with her husband and newborn son.

Brian

Brian Burnett has been a Pearson Foundation project lead for many New Learning Institute (NLI) digital media programs since 2006. Brian manages and delivers project-based programs that integrate literacy skills and technology into education. Though based in New York City, he travels around the country supporting NLI's educators. A seasoned teaching and learning professional in corporate and non-profit organizations, he has a breadth of skills and expertise including project manager, educator, education technology specialist, and video producer. He has extensive experience working with adult and youth learners. Brian enjoys free time with his wife and daughter, spending time at his lake house, and taking in New York life.

Jane

Jane Drozd joined the New Learning Institute (NLI) in 2011 after finishing her master’s degree in Design. While in graduate school Jane focused on Digital Animation and Interactive Media and taught undergraduate classes in 2D and 3D Design using new media tools. She has been a mentor to young women in animation since 2007 and recently expanded her range of mentoring at the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum’s ARTLAB+ to include a variety of digital media. Jane has a traditional art background and earned her undergraduate degree in fine art from The Ohio State University. She enjoys exploring new digital media tools, reading food blogs and geeking out about films, animation, and space.