While technology is used in many classrooms today, sometimes it is not serving as rigorous of a purpose that it could be used for. Here is the solution: the SAMR model. The SAMR model, created by Dr. Puentedura, is a resource for teachers to use to evaluate the technology use in their classroom. The SAMR model has 4 levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition. Teachers are enhancing student learning when they use technology as a direct tool substitute (substitution and augmentation level). When teachers begin to redesign a task using technology or create a new task using technology, they begin to transform student learning (modification and redefinition level). The SAMR model is beneficial to teachers and students as it assists teachers in incorporating technology with a higher-level purpose, which directly benefits the students in the classroom.
Similar to SAMR, another model that promotes higher-level thinking, problem-solving and collaboration is the PBL model. With a PBL unit, students collaborate on real-world scenarios or problems, using problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills. What better way to transform this higher-level thinking than with technology! When incorporating technology into a PBL unit, students have everything they need right at their fingertips. They are able to complete the research necessary for their project, they can collaborate on documents, and they can create presentations to present their research.
As technology is used in the enhancement phase of the SAMR model, students do not have many opportunities to use their voice to make their own choice. As teachers begin to use technology to to transform learning, students are provided with more opportunities to make their own choices and voice their opinion in certain situations. Being able to voice your thoughts about a topic requires higher-level thinking skills and also shows student comprehension about that topic. When working on a PBL project, students could use Google Slides or Glogster to publish their findings. Teachers could monitor student activity, participation and collaboration as students work on a Google Doc together. There are endless tools for publishing that are available to students, all of while demonstrate students' voices and choices.
Technology is a wonderful resource to use in the classroom, but it is a resource that must be carefully planned in order for students to receive the desired benefits. The SAMR model along with a PBL approach are two ways to make sure that students are effectively using higher-order thinking skills as well as real-world problem-solving skills, both necessities to prepare them for their future.
References
Essential Connections of STEM, PBL, and Tech Integration… What Would Dewey Think? (2014, September 15). Essential Connections of STEM, PBL, and Tech Integration… What Would Dewey Think? Retrieved October 8, 2016, from https://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/essential-connections-of-stem-pbl-and-tech-integration-what-would-dewey-think/
Introduction to the SAMR Model. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2016, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/introduction-to-the-samr-model#
Similar to SAMR, another model that promotes higher-level thinking, problem-solving and collaboration is the PBL model. With a PBL unit, students collaborate on real-world scenarios or problems, using problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills. What better way to transform this higher-level thinking than with technology! When incorporating technology into a PBL unit, students have everything they need right at their fingertips. They are able to complete the research necessary for their project, they can collaborate on documents, and they can create presentations to present their research.
As technology is used in the enhancement phase of the SAMR model, students do not have many opportunities to use their voice to make their own choice. As teachers begin to use technology to to transform learning, students are provided with more opportunities to make their own choices and voice their opinion in certain situations. Being able to voice your thoughts about a topic requires higher-level thinking skills and also shows student comprehension about that topic. When working on a PBL project, students could use Google Slides or Glogster to publish their findings. Teachers could monitor student activity, participation and collaboration as students work on a Google Doc together. There are endless tools for publishing that are available to students, all of while demonstrate students' voices and choices.
Technology is a wonderful resource to use in the classroom, but it is a resource that must be carefully planned in order for students to receive the desired benefits. The SAMR model along with a PBL approach are two ways to make sure that students are effectively using higher-order thinking skills as well as real-world problem-solving skills, both necessities to prepare them for their future.
References
Essential Connections of STEM, PBL, and Tech Integration… What Would Dewey Think? (2014, September 15). Essential Connections of STEM, PBL, and Tech Integration… What Would Dewey Think? Retrieved October 8, 2016, from https://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/essential-connections-of-stem-pbl-and-tech-integration-what-would-dewey-think/
Introduction to the SAMR Model. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2016, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/introduction-to-the-samr-model#