One barrier that I see is that it would probably take a long time for teachers to put together step #3 (Perspectives and Resources). I think it might take a while for teachers to gather all of the pertinent resources, and also the different perspectives on the topic being presented. The good thing is though, once teachers created a model like this once, they would probably be able to reuse some of the resources and perspectives for classes that they have in the future. The only other barrier I could think of would be that some students may have a hard time going through this model on their own. Some individuals have a hard time evaluating different resources and perspectives. I think that teachers could put their students in groups to complete the five steps, provide more scaffolding, and model to student's their expectations and how they should be looking for hints and clues within their resources.
I definitely think I would use this model in my future classroom. I think it would be a great way to make sure that students are grasping certain curriculum objectives and learning the concepts in a meaningful way. I might try to have them do some individual STAR legacy models as well as group STAR legacy model learning. I think students could also benefit from working with a partner to learn through the STAR legacy model. I also feel that this model would be a great way to assess students.
I think that there are several web-based tools that could be utilized to benefit this model. Obviously, a web-site developer tool would be needed to create the model. Also, Windows MovieMaker or iMovie would be helpful to give students visual movies to look at about the topic/concept that they are learning. Just like the example presented in the lecture, still images can be incorporated, or even live videos. Also, I think that Voki could be used to tell of the different perspectives being presented (If students are learning about how animals are affected by pollution, for example, then different animal Voki's can be created that tell perspectives on the issue, etc.). Also, discussion threads could be incorporated for students to discuss initial thoughts or reactions to the challenge presented. Students could also blog about the different resources that they are researching and reading in the model.
Catherine, you bring up some interesting points. I also like the idea of presenting questions at the beginning to see what the student(s) know about the topic, and then reflect again on them at the end. I can see this model being used for individual, as well as, small group learning. The small group learning would be nice for digging deeper into a topic with your peers. I also think that this model could be used in many different subject areas.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I'm with you on gathering perspectives and resources. One would need to have connections to put together a meaningful collection of experts who would be willing to editorialize and give a positive contribution to a project such as Star Legacy. Still, it is a very worthwhile approach, and that obstacle being dealt with, I think SL to be a remarkable approach for instruction. It adapts incredibly well to the internet, given the appropriate software program. Learning is cyclical, not linear, and students using this approach would need to conform to the cycle prescribed by the approach.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using the Voki to guide the students through the model - too! Great suggestion. We may have to do that with our model.
ReplyDeleteI agree that making the videos will be the most work. But I also think it will be fun. We can 'stage' the experts by writing scripts for our family and friends. I think if we each make a video or two, we can use them as the 'experts'. My teenage son loves starring in videos for my classes :)
Catherine -
ReplyDeleteI too am in agreement over the perspectives and resources. It is the one aspect of this model that gives me pause. One thing I have seen with instructors (not in using this model but in general) that they throw out a huge number of additional resources at students, with the thought that more is better. But more is just more and if the resources are not relevant or of value then it wastes students time and they then tend not bother with the resources provided. Making sure the resources are useful and not just plentiful takes time and energy.