Reflection on the STAR Legacy Model

What are your initial reactions to this theory/model? What are barriers to its use? What benefits might be expected for those who overcome the barriers?


I thought this model was a lot easier to wrap my head around than some of the previous models.  (I guess that big star graphic really is useful!)  The first step, "Challenge" reminded me of the initial step of many of the other models- like Goal Based Learning, PBL,Anchored Instruction and Guided Design.  What differentiates the STAR model is that this first step is a series of questions, instead of one big problem or goal. 

This model would seem to have many of same benefits as previous ones- practice with research and critical thinking skills and capturing student attention with a challenge at the beginning.  Another advantage is that the STAR Legacy model activates students prior knowledge about a subject and then has him reflect on his learning process, which would increase knowledge retention.  I really don't see any disadvantages to this model except, as with previous models, the amount of preparation time it would require to create this type of lesson.

Would you attempt to use this theory/model with the students you are currently teaching or hope to teach in the future? Why or why not? Could elements of the theory/model be modified so that it would work with your current/future students?

I could definitely see using this model with my fourth graders.  I like how this model is a little more guided than previous ones and that's almost a necessity when you only have one instructor for 26 busy little students.  It would be very valuable for my students to write down their ideas in the "Thoughts" stage as a kind of pre-assessment and be able to compare those to their final findings in the "Wrap-Up" stage.
 

Since we're taking learning theories/models that were not necessarily created with the Web in mind and turning them into Web modules, what Web-based tools or resources could be leveraged to carry out this learning theory/model online?


Video sharing sites, such as YouTube or TeacherTube would be good places to share a video of the intial challenge.  Students could submit their "thoughts" for the second step in a Google Form or Google Doc.  Those same video sharing sites could be used to provide the expert input in the next stage and students could practice with learning games and activities from a variety of sites.  Quizzes could be created in Quizlet, Quia, or with another similar site.