Project-Based Learning and its Effects on 21st Century Learning Outcomes: A Phenomenological Study of Graduates from a New Tech Network Academy

The purpose of this research study was to determine whether a project-based learning (PBL) academy utilizing the New Tech Network (NTN) model positively shaped the acquisition of 21st century learning skills based on the perceptions of graduates from the academy, and to what extent the graduates of this program were able to successfully use those skills after high school. This phenomenological case study focuses on the former students of a New Tech Network (NTN) academy contained within a larger high school in a rural school division in the southeastern United States. Graduates of the program participated in a survey and interview where they were asked to describe their perceptions about the impact that the NTN program had on their development of six 21st century skills. The data collected found that the NTN program had a positive impact on improving the participants skills in self-reliance, collaboration, communication and self-reflection, while also showing that participants felt they were better prepared to be successful in college and career opportunities after high school.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Department dc:contributor.department

Counselor Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Bocock, Joshua Daniel

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Alexander, Michael D.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Price, Ted S.
• Earthman, Glen I.
• Cash, Carol S.

• Project-based Learning
• 21st Century Learning Skills
• New Tech Network

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:35617

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/111822