Expeditionary Learning Schools

Please visit www.elschools.org to learn more about the Expeditionary Learning model. Contracting with ELSchools will provide us with a school designer and consultant to assist in implementing their model which includes project-based learning, integrated studies, assessment and other key concepts we desire for our students. The focus and investment will be on Teacher Development and Training. In time, we can become one of a nation-wide network of "Expeditionary Learning Schools". Currently, there are only three schools implementing the EL model in the state of Utah, two charter schools (one in SLC and one in Ogden) and one private school in Salt Lake City. We will be the first to introduce this model in Utah County.

Considering web-based tool

This web-based tool is called "Project Foundry" and is one option for us as we think of ways for students, teachers, and parents to communicate about and track projects and mastery of state core objectives over time. This tool will be demonstrated for staff and board in an upcoming work meeting. Stay tuned for demo date/time.

A peek into the world of Project Learning

A great advocate for concepts such as "project learning" is the George Lucas Educational Foundation which operates the website EDUTOPIA. Explore this extraordinary site for mini-documentary videos of schools across the nation which are implementing these core concepts so critical to educational reform in the 21st century and so valuable to us as we strive to create a meaningful and effective program.

Project Learning Model

Project learning, also known as project-based learning, or problem-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups.

Because project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning. In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work. In the process of completing their projects, students also hone their organizational and research skills, develop better communication with their peers and adults, and often work within their community while seeing the positive effect of their work.

Because students are evaluated on the basis of their projects (rather than on the comparatively narrow assessment of traditional exams, essays, and written reports), the rubric-based assessment of project work is often more meaningful to them. They quickly see how academic work can connect to real-life issues -- and may even be inspired to pursue a career or engage in activism that relates to the project they developed.

Students also thrive on the greater flexibility of project learning. In addition to participating in traditional assessment, they might be evaluated on presentations to a community audience they have assiduously prepared for, informative tours of a local historical site based on their recently acquired expertise, or screening of a scripted film they have painstakingly produced.

Project learning is also an effective way to integrate technology into the curriculum. A typical project can easily accommodate computers and the Internet, as well as interactive whiteboards, global-positioning-system (GPS) devices, digital still cameras, video cameras, and associated editing equipment.

Adopting a project-learning approach in your classroom or school can invigorate your learning environment, energizing the curriculum with a real-world relevance and sparking students' desire to explore, investigate, and understand their world.

Old Vision, New Directions & Goals

In contemplating the future direction of Liberty Academy and it's partnership with American Leadership Academy, the Liberty Board of Directors has been discussing a return to the Original Founder's vision of a small high school program which would serve approximately 200 students in grades 9-12.

During the 2007-08 school year, the Liberty Board, was in agreement that Liberty would expand the elementary grades up to the 8th grade only. This thinking came as the Board contemplated increased competition with new local high schools and expenses involved in the differentiated program of the secondary grades. However, with a pulse on special needs of students at both schools and continuing unmet needs in the community, the Board has approved the exploration of concepts to form a new academic program for high school grades 9-12 which will be housed at the Liberty campus. With the creative use of resources between schools the goal would be to provide a unique program that will serve unmet educational needs in an exceptional way.

The Leadership In Learning program will be designed to benefit a small group of secondary students who have a willingness and capacity for increased independent learning, a desire to explore post-secondary education and training options, and/or would benefit from varied and creative learning methods and environments. Additionally, this program will have a strong service component, a focus on local/global community issues and allow students a rich experience with technology.