I read STAR much earlier in the week and didnt have a lot of thoughts on it. The one thing I kept thinking was: scientific theory. Perhaps that is because we are in the middle of getting ready for our school's first science fair and we have done nothing in computer lab for 2 weeks other than research all of the students projects, come up with questions and hypothesis-es (whats the plural for that?) and research some more and try to understand scientific principles. So really...thats what this seemed like to me. Have a question. Come up with some ideas. Research it. Answer it. Discuss it.
I like this. It makes it so that you can apply this logical thinking method to every subject, not just science. Kids can actually think for themselves instead of being told what to think. And with todays technology, its not like you go to the single source for everything: the encyclopedia, read a few paragraphs and then feel like a genius. You can go to the internet and sort through all the real information versus the crap information and then make a decision for yourself about what information is useful and which you should never read again.
This was also more than a theory. Its an actual way to teach. It is something do-able. Its something that is do-able now. And the best part...it doesnt take a lot of time and preparation!! If you are a teacher, you can do it tomorrow. You can do it today. You could probably use it in a pinch when your other lessons arent working out. And how smart will the kids feel when they figured something out for themselves.
I know I have seen a lot of smiling faces and have been told how much fun it was to research and watch videos and find answers for themselves. Learning at its best!
I agree that the STAR LEGACY module is do-able, but somewhere I lost how it can be do-able now unless you're speaking of the process step by step and not presented in a complete module. I look at this and am flabbergasted by the amount of work I think I would have to put into this module to make it cohesive and successful. Please share your view in more detail because I'm a little panicked about creating a module using either this method or the Anchored Instruction method. I would really appreciate your ideas. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea - I agree that the STAR legacy can be used now as well. The flexibility of the STAR framework and the room for creativity will definitely serve you well - it is a great tool!
I don't know if I'd say it was totally "scientific" - there's so much looking back and reflecting and personally kind of stuff in there. At least not what "science" usually means.
ReplyDelete(Don't get me wrong - I think science SHOULD look like the STAR model. ;) )