If you know what the SAMR framework is, skip to the end!
SAMR - SUBSTITUTION, AUGMENTATION, MODIFICATION, REDEFINITION
SAMR suggests that there are 4 levels of technology use ... 1. task SUBSTITUTION, 2. task AUGMENTATION (task enhancement),
3. task MODIFICATION, 4. task REDEFINITION (task transformation)
I found this image created by Carl Hooker ...
OK, in reference to this image SUBSTITUTION could simply be using a computer as a word processor, the task is not changed ... relatively simple for us as educators! Word processing has been around forever, so it seems!
If the same word processor is used to enhance the learning e.g. thesaurus, text to speech, speech to text, this is referred to as AUGMENTATION. Again relatively simple for us ... the shallow end of the pool.
OK ... let's venture into the DEEP END (same task - procedural text)
MODIFICATION ... technology could be used to easily (so he says) create a video representation of a procedural task, think science experiment, maths equation etc. The video could then be embedded in an eBook and shared. Starting to get a little more complicated for us. REDEFINITION of the task (something previously inconceivable without technology) could be to upload the video to a YouTube channel or to post it in a blog and seek feedback from peers around the world. This is transforming learning!
YOU MUST READ THIS ... GET INTO THE DEEP END, QUICKLY!
INITIALLY I THOUGHT THIS WAS FAIR ENOUGH ... but then I realised from my own practice that there are many students in the DEEP END of the pool, not necessarily by choice, but by DIVERSITY of learning needs. Some are swimming, some are treading water - waiting and others are going under! YES, going under!
There are those students for whom traditional methods of engagement and written expression simply do not work! These students require us to cross the safety rope, these are the students who are going under. The same can be said for those students at the other end of the continuum, those who are gifted ... and bored! These students need to be taught, or given the opportunity to swim!
GET INTO THE DEEP END ... LIVES ARE AT RISK!
For more information about How To Get Into The Deep End contact Robert Carter.