When mentoring our
pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both
research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these
best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e.
online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of
face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called
blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet
can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of
pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In(i.e. physical) and virtual
(i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination
of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called
blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet
can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of
pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how
the Starbursting diagram can be used to promote skillful, creative and critical
thinking in the Judaic Studies classroom.
Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has an interactive
white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a
Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached
to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees
had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and
school approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be
used to enhance instruction as well.
Note: Although the Starbursting can be applied in the
Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for
training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff
development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an
online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft,
and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of
Jewish educators. For example, here is
a CoP you might want to join.
Note: The Starbursting thinking skills tool or
construct can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
In previous blog posts we have defined thinking skills and
processes, creative thinking,
critical thinking
and Benjamin Blooms taxonomy of
educational objectives. We have also shared creative and critical
thinking tools developed by Dr. Donald J. Treffinger. In this post we will share a web-based thinking tool or construct
called “Starbursting”.
What is Starbursting?
According to http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_91.htm
Starbursting is a form of
brainstorming that focuses on generating questions rather than answers. It can
be used iteratively, with further layers of questioning about the answers to
the initial set of questions.
For example, a colleague
suggests a new design of ice skating boot. One question you ask might be
"Who is the customer?" Answer: "Skaters." But you need to
go further than this to ensure that you target your promotions accurately:
"What kind of skaters?" Answer: "Those who do a lot of jumping,
who need extra support," and so on. This would help focus the marketing,
for example to competition ice dancers and figure skaters, rather than ice
rinks that buy boots to hire out to the general public.
According to http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_91.htm there
are the four steps involved in Starbursting and they are as follows:
1. Download the Starbursting thinking skills diagram by
clicking here. http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_91.htm.
This is what the
Starbursting diagram looks like:
If you wish to copy the above Starbursting diagram right click on the image or click here.
2. Record the words
"Who", "What", "Why", "Where",
"When" and "How at the tip of each point of the star.
3.
Brainstorm questions
about the idea or product starting with each of these words.
4.
Depending on the scope
of the exercise, you may want to have further starbursting sessions to explore
the answers to these initial questions further.
On
the next post we will share two examples of how to use the Starbursting diagram
for Jewish education and teacher training.
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