ONE STONE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
TouchStone is a web-based platform that enables students to engage through real-world experiences and scaffolded, interactive growth challenges. This research and design initiative will further develop Touchstone’s peer-to-peer feedback streams, real-time coach feedback, and integrates One Stone’s innovative Growth Transcript.
TOUCHSTONE BUILDS COMMUNITY
AND FOSTERS DISCOVERY
Powered by Thrivecast and developed in partnership with Arizona State University’s Center for Games and Impact, TouchStone is the ideal solution for blended and remote learning environments.
TouchStone provides schools and organizations with a digital platform that captures various aspects of the One Stone experience, known as collections. Collections are made up of stories and modules, and each module contains several grow activities. Students navigate TouchStone at their own pace; picking their own path. Although there are some modules that benefit from foundational experience gained from other modules, users are free to explore and complete modules and collections as they choose. Alternatively, users may follow specified paths to receive certifications in various 21st century skills. One or more of these collections may be purchased from One Stone based on the organization’s needs and interests. In addition to the online content provided, TouchStone partners also receive coaching, training, and support from One Stone.
TouchStone features the following content collections:
Living in Beta empowers high school students to explore their passions and discover their purpose, while developing the tools to live, learn, and practice with intention. Through engagement in scaffolded wayfinding activities, students design experiences that bring relevance to their learning. As students unpack their passions, identify their personal values, and create a personalized and meaningful why statement, they develop a greater sense of identity, belonging, and purpose.
Human-Centered Design includes over two dozen modules that will guide users through the design thinking process. This collection contains design thinking specific modules, as well as supplemental materials from the BLOB library. Users will gain proficiency in all steps of the design thinking process — from understanding, to implementation, to reflection — with coaching from industry professionals, leaders from the Stanford d.school and IDEO, and experts from One Stone.
Catapulting into Adulting prepares students for life after high school. With modules that range from financial literacy to doing laundry, learners will gain confidence with relevant, real-world life skills in areas like grocery shopping and navigating the American healthcare system.
Civics and Social Responsibility is a collection that allows students to become leaders, advocates, and positive members of society. Modules develop information literacy and a foundational understanding of social justice, human rights, as well as why it is our civic responsibility to vote.
The One Stone Bold Learning Objectives (a.k.a. The “BLOB”) is a comprehensive library of collections that focus on four key areas of learning: mindset, creativity, skills, and knowledge. Each area includes cognitive and non-cognitive competencies and dispositions and is supported by research-based learning objectives and criteria for mastery. Through their work in relevant, real-world experiences, students develop the social and emotional skills necessary for a growth mindset; they learn how to approach challenges and solve complex problems creatively; and they gain professional skills required of leaders who pursue their passions with confidence and purpose.
HOW DOES TOUCHSTONE WORK?
The connect function allows for TouchStone community members to cultivate real-life connections and support one another’s growth. Inspired by social media interaction, users read, react, and comment to the stories of those who have already completed the module. Users connect with each other via written comments and emojis. Once users connect with a story, TouchStone serves up relevant grow activities to explore.
Each module contains one or more grow activities that prepare users for success. Depending on the module, users might need to complete all or only some of the grow activities to complete the module. Grow activities vary from module to module. Users might be prompted to watch videos, complete readings, or engage in guided activities or conversations. Some grow activities might require users to answer reflective questions.
The final step in completing a module is applying the knowledge or skills gained by sharing reflective stories. For stories to be published, they must be peer-reviewed and approved by fellow users and a TouchStone coach, mentor, or teacher. This process creates a feedback-loop that allows users, both peer-to-peer and student-to-coach, to connect their learning to their lives and to be inspired by one another.
“The stories all had an effect on me and really made me re-examine my own views. When I read one of the stories about a girl who was unsure about what career she wanted to pursue due to her passions and desired pay grade, I found it really interesting. Not only because her writing was very captivating, but also because of how much I felt I could relate to her story. This really inspired me to do some more research on the topic and think more about my future.”
– TouchStone User
