The SAMR model
The SAMR model, developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, has been a useful lens for looking at tech integration. In my language learning classroom, have I been merely substituting electronic flash cards for the hard tag version?
One example (for this post)
I still give out vocabulary flash cards printed on hard tag. We do different activities and games with those sets of flash cards. With the use of Quizlet, students have been offered another choice of study and another layer reinforcement for the learning. Quizlet has allowed me to augment the learning experience for kids with the ability to add pictures and use games as a way to enhance the practice ritual. In addition, for upper grade levels, I have had students create their own flash cards after evaluating their own strengths and weaknesses.
Once again, we have an additional acronym to add to our educational vocabulary. Below is another example of the TPACK diagram. This is the result of a group work exercise at one of our COETAIL classes.
From diagrams to reality
So what does successful tech integration look like? Watch the video below.
It is surprising that this article was originally published in 2003. (The video was later added to Youtube in 2010.) It was impressive to see the integration of technology at this high school redefining what students were doing. The tasks were relevant and meaningful for the students. With clear purposes for the use of technology (in this video), students were motivated and challenged to interpret and produce results for use in the community.
In Jeff Utech’s blog post, Evaluating Technology Use in the Classroom, Jeff presents four questions that could be used when observing a classroom activity, or watching a video such as the one from Edutopia.
- Is the technology being used “Just because it’s there”?
- Is the technology allowing the teacher/students to do Old things in Old ways?
- Is the technology allowing the teacher/students to do Old things in New ways?
- Is the technology creating new and different learning experiences for the students?