Star Legacy

Now this is a module that I can really understand, especially with the flow chart.  This module like the previous ones starts off with a problem or a challenge to solve.  It also uses prior knowledge to help solve the problem or complete the challenge.  Students have the opportunity to complete various activities to help them focus on solving the problem or completing the challenge.  These activities could be in the form of videos, simulations, labs, reading, etc.  Assessments give each student the opportunity to apply what they know and evaluate what they need to study more. A capstone project of task might also be included.  In the wrap up section, the lessons are summarized and students have the opportunity to reflect on their initial answers and how much they have learned. 

A challenge I see in this module is knowing the prior knowledge of all the students in my class, especially my EC students.  I think this module would also require a lot of supervision to assure that students stayed on task.  I can see my high school students loosing focus.  The positive side is that this type of module allows for all types multimedia.  I would use Googledocs, You Tube, Survey Monkey.

Anchored Instruction

Anchored instruction is very similar to goal-based scenarios.  Students work together in groups to solve a particular problem.  Anchored instruction was originally software (video), with authentic problems/cases explored by student.  Students then take what they know, and apply it to a problem then students must generate problems to solve. Students then develop solutions and present them to the class. One problem I see with this model is there seems to be less student involvement in the coming up with the problem (or the researching of the problem).  The problem and research is presented in the video or whatever multimedia was being used.  I do like that fact that like the recent previous models this deals with real world problems and situations. 

I could see myself using this in my field.  If I were to teach Business Law again this model would be a great way to present cases/situations to my students.  Once they have solved the problem they in turn would present it to the class.

A particular multimedia that comes to mind is voicethread.  My group used this in the last module we created.  This was my first time dealing with voicethread (really cool). 

Goal Based Scenarios

This makes me think of the difference between my 7-year-old twin 2^nd graders and my two 17-year-old seniors.  My 2^nd graders are still excited and very eager to learn. On the other hand, my 17-year-old seniors have spend the last 4 years doing everything in their power to get good enough grades to get into the college of their choice and get out of high school.  They have learned that they need to do just enough to get the desired grade.  The no longer have that self-motivation or that 7-year-old eager to please mentality.   This is exactly what Schank means when he stated that “Natural learning goals that have to do with increased understanding or increasing one’s power to operate successfully in various endeavors get replaced by artificial learning goals that have to do with acceptance, approval, and socialization.  One barrier I can see to the GBS is that students do not share the same interest.  It might be hard to keep all students engaged.  Also the lack of technology could be a factor.  This model would seem to also take a lot of planning on the part of the instructor. 

This also fits in with what I am teaching right now in Computer Applications I.  We have just started objective 3.02 which are the design principles.   To make this activity relevant and interesting to my students, I have created a project for them to do.  The goal of this project is to teach the design principles as well as teaching the benefits of knowing your target audience.  I have each student take on the role of a travel agency.  They are to create a logo, slogan and company name.  Using Publisher they create 5 publications making sure each publication follows the rules associated with the design principles as well as identifying the age of their target audience for each publication.  We spend a week on this project and they love it.  If I had more time, I would love to use more technology to turn this into a dynamic activity.