Station Rotation Model
The Station Rotation Model enables teachers to design in-class blended learning experiences for their learners. The teacher organises learners into groups within the classroom, where at least one station is a technology-based learning experience. This model allows teachers to create smaller learning groups within the larger class and to design more personalised and differentiated learning experiences. It is particularly useful for schools with limited access to technology.
Each learner can rotate between online learning and other stations on a flexible or fixed schedule.
Learners rotate between learning stations such as:
teacher-led instruction station
digital learning station
offline activity station
Teachers may decide that learners are not always required to rotate to each station - and so learners may be free to select which method works best for them. This variation of the model is referred to as the ‘Individual Rotation Model’ (Christensen, Horn, and Staker 2013)
The Station Rotation Model Explained
The Station Rotation Model in Irish Primary Classrooms
The following PDST Good Practice videos highlight activities that could be used to engage in a Station Rotation Model in a primary school setting.
Digital Learning Activity Ideas for the Station Rotation Model
Pupils could:
watch an instructional video e.g. long-division maths tutorial, to reinforce learning at a station
listen to/ watch a read-aloud digital book or video sourced on websites such as Get Epic!/ Oxford Owl/ Storyline Online/ Book Trust - Story Time/ Brightly Storytime/ Gearrthóga Físe
listen to an audiobook sourced on websites such as Storyberries/ Léightleat
éist le podchraoltaí de scéalta as Gaeilge do pháistí ar Soundcloud nó le rannta, dánta agus amhráin do pháistí óga.
read an online article sourced on websites such as Britannica School/ DK Find Out/ CLiC News/ BBC Newsround/ Tween Tribune
léigh leabhairiní Gaeilge e.g. Séideán Sí agus Taisce Tuisceanna Sraith 1 agus Sraith 2
research information on websites such as Sweet Search/ Kiddle/ Get Epic!/ Britannica School/ DK Find Out/ History for Kids/ Google Maps Treks etc.
engage in personalised and differentiated digital learning experiences via Khan Academy Kids/ Read Theory/ Read Works etc.
play cross-curricular interactive games sourced on websites such as Topmarks/ Toporopa/ World Geography Games etc.
watch a video on Edpuzzle and answer the questions and prompts embedded throughout the video
contribute ideas and responses to a digital tool such as Mentimeter/ Padlet/ Flip
create multimedia content e.g. digital stories/ presentations/ videos/ animations, using a range of websites and apps
add evidence of their learning through text/ audio recording/ video to their digital portfolio e.g. Seesaw