Station Rotation Model of Blended Learning by Shelby Scoffield

Have you ever wondered what "Blended Learning" looks like in real life? The following is an article written by Shelby Scoffield, AP and Honors English teacher at MHHS. The "Station Rotation Model" is ONE strategy that is used in the Blended Learning Toolbox.

Station Rotation Model in an English Classroom

by Shelby Scoffield

When I began reading about Blended Learning, I kept seeing a the phrase “organized chaos” pop up in various journal articles and blogs. The more I read-- the more I realized how I had an iron grip hold on my English classes.

I eventually came to the conclusion that my classroom was much too structured, neat, and orderly. If I was to really cater to 35 different learning styles, I really needed to loosen up. If I was to really teach a student, I needed to stop dictating the day to day activities, and really start listening to what they needed to learn.

“Organized Chaos” really began to make since to me when I read an article about “Station Rotation,” a model of Blended Learning. I loved the idea of going back to elementary school and creating learning centers. As I continued to read, I stumbled on this video:

It was then that “Ms. Scoffield’s Station Rotation Theory for the English classroom” was born. Modeling after Intrinsic schools, I created the following learning centers for my classroom.

Basic rules:

• Students have the option of what assignment they will complete for that class period. (Assignments are always listed on the board)
• They are told every day to complete the hardest assignments in class and the easy ones at home.
• Students are allowed to visit each center only once during the week.
• Students are required to visit station 1 throughout the week.
• Students are required to mix it up. That is, they have to sit next to new people every day.

Station 1-- Direct one on one instruction with teacher. This station is set up as a long conference table and the teacher is always sitting up in the front.  The teacher sets up the assignment, the students complete a short assignment together on the interactive whiteboard, and then they complete the graded assignment on their own.

Station 2-- Individual or Partner work. This station is geared towards getting the students to work together as a group. They usually have to do things like a Google presentation, a podcast, or a film clip.

Station 3-- Socratic Seminar Station. This station is geared towards getting the students to talk to each other about a certain idea or concept. They usually have a news article to read and discussion board prompt to respond to. When they are done, the teacher comes to this table and briefly discusses what they learned.

Station 4--Technology Station. This station is geared towards getting the students to learn using various technology and apps. Assignments can include getting onto Twitter, Pinterest, DIIGO, Screen--castify, Instagram, Spreed, etc.

Station 5-- Independent Work. This allows the student to work on whatever they need to in that unit. Students work ahead and even begin looking at the unit projects.

Station 6--  Teach each other a skill or concept. This station allows students to teach another person a skill or an idea that they need to master.

Station 7-- Test taking station. Here, students study for or complete the unit exam.

Station 8-- Silent reading and Movie Watching. This is for students who are confident in their abilities to do the assignments and would like to spend the time reading the book or watching an approved movie version of the book.

Ms. Scoffield's Station rotation model give students a mix of direct instruction, individual work and practice, group and partner work, socratic seminar, and student control over path, pace, and place where their work is done. Stay tuned for more articles about instructional strategies being used at MHHS and what those strategies look like in the classroom.