As Pearlman continued to report on the progress of New Tech High School, Paul
Curtis, the founder of the New Tech High School, claimed that, “We need a new type of
instruction that reflects the goals that we want in each student; to achieve, demonstrate
and document” (2006b). This goal can be accomplished when the instructors integrate the
outcomes in all facets of the curriculum using problem-based learning. Curtis clarified
that problem based learning differs from projects in that problem based learning is more
complex, rigorous and deep, instead of the project which is a short isolated activity. Two
examples of problem based learning activities are presenting a plan to Congress on
solving the oil crisis and or inventing, under a contract from NASA, a new sports
program astronauts can play on the moon so they can get exercise. This holistic type of
learning has been coined in Australia as “rich task” and in Great Britain as “total
learning” (p.4). Once again, the constructivist, student-centered approach to instruction is
proving to be the most effective for 21 st century students and classrooms.