Learning Resources

Explore sample Star Interactions® created with lodeStar™. The activities represent samples of content created with the lodeStar tool and do not represent whole works. Each activity is accompanied by a description that states the instructional value of the activity. The sample activities represented on this page is a subset of all the templates that are available to instructors.

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  Brancher enables instructors to create scenarios, case studies, trouble-shooting workflows and much more. Students receive branched instruction based on their question answers, menu choices and/or their performance. Brancher combines text, imagery, animations, video, and audio for an exciting, multimedia eLearning experience.
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  Mapper enables instructors to synchronize Google Maps with instructional content that includes text, imagery, animations, video and audio. Students can click on a marker on a Google Map and see instructional content related to that geographical location or they can navigate through the instructional content and watch the map pan or jump to the location.
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  Panner enables instructors to create scrollable views that might represent timelines, landscape panoramas or just a unique means to tell a digital story. With Panner, instructors can combine text, imagery, animations, video, and audio for a multimedia eLearning experience.
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  Syncher is intended to give instructors a simple mechanism for synchronizing imagery and other multimedia with mp3 audio files or podcasts. Syncher adds another dimension to audio presentations with its addition of text, imagery, animations, video, and more audio.
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  Presenter makes the task of creating stunning lesson pages trivial. Instructors can choose from multiple layouts, insert images, create smooth text (anti-aliased) and automatically create hyperlinks and a table of contents.
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  Crossword enables instructors to create a crossword puzzle from any group of words they wish. Instructors can type in science terms, historical facts, literary expressions or whatever they choose.
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  FlashCards present students with a series of cards. Students are required to answer a question or identify an image by typing in text. Instructors can require students to type in exact spellings and exact phrases or instructors can use special characters such as * and ? to allow for variations.
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  SlideShow allows an instructor to add _images and SWF animations to a slide show. Students can move forward through the slideshow one slide at a time or set the show to autoplay.  Instructors can retain the original resolution of an image so that students can zoom in and explore the image in detail.
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  Timeline enables students to scroll through time, click on key events, read descriptions and see the relationship of events graphically represented.
  
  Timeline is easy for instructors to configure. Instructors add key events, type in relevant information and save their work. The Timeline interaction automatically performs the calculations to best represent the information to the student.
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  BoardMaker retains all of the advantages of a traditional display board but in an online setting.  Instructors can choose from multiple layouts with text, imagery, SWF animations and SWF video.  Students can see the whole presentation at a glance and then drill into individual panels to read the text or view the image.
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  Sequencer provides students with a sequence of activities that includes simple text descriptions, web pages, animations and, most importantly, other lodeStar activities.  Instructors, for example, can create a Timeline, a Presentation and a Challenger Game and then sequence these along with external web pages and swf animations.
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  Sequencer as WebQuest Sequencer can sequence different types of activities including the 5 essential components that are part of a webquest (i.e. Introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation and Conclusion.) Instructors have used webquests to help guide their students inquiry into a specific topic. Webquests are a useful instructional strategy to define a task and process and limit the students exploration of the web to specific sites. Webquests often involve team collaboration, inquiry and many of the skills that have been identified as critical skills of the 21st century worker.
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  A Sequence of Activities Directed at a Single Topic In this example, Sequencer is used in concert with Flashcards, Concentration, WebQuest, and other templates to engage students in activities in support of Electronic Health Records -- an important topic in Nursing Education. This demonstration shows how a variety of activities can reinforce skills in any given topic.
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  Math and Reading Practice Tests are available for $900 per school
  Math and Reading Practice Tests Instructional Designs Incorporated used LodeStar to produce practice tests in Mathematics (grades 3 - 8) and Reading (grades 3 - 5). The MCA success kit is available for purchase through Instructional Designs Incorporated at http://www.instructionaldesigns.net/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=423

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  Sharpen enables an instructor to construct a list of words and hints and place them in a politically correct hangman game. As the student correctly chooses letters, the blanks fill in. When the student answers incorrectly, the pencil sharpener shortens the pencil.