A Station Rotation model is a Rotation model implementation where a given course or subject (e.g., Writing) has students rotate on a fixed schedule, or at the teacher’s discretion, among classroom-based learning modalities. The rotation includes at least one station with Internet access for online learning, (Horn and Staker, 2012). Using a Station Rotation model supports the learning that is already taking place in most primary classrooms. Students are accustomed to seeing the Station Rotation approach so if teachers are utilizing that model and implementing technology rotations, students are gently scaffolded into using technology.
Using a Rotation model, teachers with student-centered beliefs can integrate technology in the classroom in more student-centered ways (Ertmer and Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2010). In a primary classroom, blended learning can be applied to have students working in a Rotation model, where they are in a classroom every day, but where they still have choice over time, place and pace of their learning in a specific subject area. This control of time and place may have students choosing which days of the week they use technology.
This Station Rotation model can be worked into the classroom set up as suggested below. A Station Rotation will be individual and will depend on the technology specifically available to you. You can start as small as using one device or computer for publishing and have students use it on a 'Special Star Day'. They can email their parents their work, you could print it out, or it could even be posted to their personal E-portfolio's.
Writers Workshop Classroom Set up
A classroom set up that works well is one where your class is working as a community. As presented below, a set up where students are in a circle of desks raises the expectation for them to be respectful of their community when writing. To enable students to think and process, it is important to provide many different places for them to work.
As we know, children have diverse learning styles and needs and when you set up your classroom to allow for movement, choice and quiet work time, you end up with a beautiful writing block. Having a timer is essential, so that students can pace themselves and see the time. This enables them to work productively the whole time. You can see that I have set the classroom up so that there are multiple work areas. This includes a standing table, carpet seating with clipboards, a group/partner table and a large table where the teacher can work with students for small group work, or with students who choose to be close for support with their writing.
With Writers Workshop, once you have established the community you can ask students to look to their community members for support. They can ask their classmates when they are stuck or when they need help. The iPads are in their own cabinet near my desk, and out of the community circle. This is intentional so that students are not distracting others. It is important to have headphones if they are working with a program that reads their writing back to them. There are many ways to set up a classroom but I have found that what is most successful is to simply modify the way you already teach your Writing program and increase the movement around your classroom so that students are working in flexible spots. When they have the chance to choose their work environment as well as their topic and means of expression, they are more productive during their work time.
REFERENCES:
Ertmer, P. A., and A. T. Ottenbreit-Leftwich. 2010. “Teacher Technology Change: How Knowledge, Confidence, Beliefs, and Culture Intersect.” Journal of Research on Technology in Education 42 (3): 255–284
Staker, H. (2011). The Rise of K–12 Blended learning. Innosight Institute, 21(May), 18. http://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccq043