With the increasing integration of technology into our classrooms, educators are facing pedagogical concerns regarding its effectiveness in transforming education and creating optimal learning experiences.
All educators leveraging technology in their instruction have likely asked themselves questions such as: Is technology always right for all instructional tasks? Does it improve student learning? How do the distracting features that accompany this technology impact learning?
The strengths and weaknesses of technology in education have been widely explored in numerous studies. Our approach to technology should celebrate its strengths and capitalize on the advantages it offers in education, while diligently raising awareness of its drawbacks and minimizing its impact on learning.
What is the SAMR model?
SAMR offers a framework to support educators and instructional designers in creating optimal learning experiences with mobile devices in education (Rogers et al., 2014, p. 79).
The SAMR model also encourages teachers to progress from lower to higher levels of teaching with technology, which Puentedura says leads to better teaching and learning (Hamilton et al., 2016, p. 434). To better understand the SAMR concept, we have created an illustrative image based on a variety of resources (see the list at the end of this post).
SAMR Model Levels
1. Substitution level
Using digital technology to replace analog technology without any functional change.
Examples:
- Students use a word editor to compose a piece of writing.
- Use digital flashcards instead of physical ones to study vocabulary or concepts.
- Replace a physical classroom calendar with a digital one to keep track of assignments and events.
2. Increase
Digital technology is functionally employed to augment the learning task.
Examples:
- Students use Google Docs features, such as search, spell check, voice typing, and Explore, to write a paper.
- Employ online quizzes that provide immediate feedback to students, helping them identify areas that need improvement.
- Use digital mind mapping tools to help students brainstorm and organize ideas for a group project.
3. Modification
Digital technology is used to significantly redesign a learning task.
examples
- Students use a digital portfolio tool to incorporate multimedia materials (eg, text, images, videos, diagrams, graphics) to display their learning.
- Create a class blog where students contribute posts, comment on each other’s work, and collaborate to develop ideas.
- Encourage students to produce digital stories or podcasts to demonstrate their understanding of a topic, incorporating multimedia elements such as images, audio, and video.
4. Redefinition
Technology is used in transformative ways to create new learning tasks that were previously impossible.
Example:
- Students use Skype Classroom to connect with a class in another part of the world or to have live discussions with a language expert or teacher.
- Engage students in a virtual reality (VR) simulation to explore historical sites or scientific phenomena, immersing them in the experience and deepening their understanding.
- Facilitate a global collaborative project, where students from different countries work together to solve real-world problems, sharing perspectives and developing cross-cultural understanding.
What is the purpose of the SAMR model?
The SAMR model has several purposes in education, including:
1. Promotion of technological integration
The SAMR model encourages educators to carefully incorporate technology into their teaching practices, fostering a seamless blend of traditional and digital learning experiences.
2. Improve teaching and learning
By guiding teachers through different levels of technology integration, the SAMR model aims to improve both teaching and learning. As educators progress from lower levels (replace and augment) to higher levels (modify and redefine), they can create more innovative and engaging learning experiences for their students.
3. Encourage reflection
The SAMR model encourages educators to reflect on their current teaching practices and consider how technology can be used to enhance student learning. This reflective process promotes ongoing growth and development as teachers continually refine their instruction to best meet the needs of their students.
4. Foster collaboration
By providing a shared language and framework, the SAMR model facilitates collaboration among educators. Teachers can discuss their experiences and share best practices, leading to a collective improvement in technology integration and enhanced learning experiences for students.
5. Support professional development
The SAMR model can serve as a foundation for professional development, helping educators identify areas in which they can develop their technology skills and knowledge. Committing to the model and sharing experiences with colleagues allows teachers to learn from each other and continually improve their technology integration practices.
6. Differentiation and personalization
The SAMR model recognizes that not all students learn in the same way. By incorporating various technology tools and strategies, teachers are able to provide a wide range of learning experiences that accommodate different learning styles and individual needs.
7. Measure the impact of technology
The SAMR model allows educators to assess the effectiveness of integrating technology into their instruction. By analyzing the impact of specific tools and strategies, teachers can make data-driven decisions and refine their practices to optimize student learning outcomes.
At its core, the purpose of the SAMR model is to guide educators in making useful decisions about integrating technology, which ultimately leads to better teaching and learning experiences. By providing a structured framework and promoting reflection, collaboration, and professional growth, the SAMR model empowers educators to transform the educational landscape through the thoughtful and effective use of technology.
How does the SAMR model benefit teachers?
The SAMR model benefits teachers in several ways:
1. Guided decision making
The SAMR model offers a structured approach to selecting and implementing technology in the classroom. By examining each level of the model, teachers can better understand the potential impact of a particular technology on student learning and engagement. This helps teachers make more informed decisions about which tools to use and how to use them effectively.
2. Integration with purpose
Rather than simply adopting technology for its novelty, the SAMR model encourages teachers to consider the specific learning objectives they want to achieve with each tool. This intentional integration ensures that technology is used as a means to enhance the learning experience, and not as a distraction or an end in itself.
3. progressive improvement
As teachers become more familiar with the SAMR model, they can work to move from lower levels of technology integration (substitution and augmentation) to higher levels (modification and redefinition). This progression helps to continually improve teaching practices and create more innovative and engaging learning experiences.
4. Professional development
The SAMR model can serve as a foundation for professional development, helping teachers identify areas in which they can further develop their technology skills and knowledge. By interacting with the model and sharing experiences with colleagues, teachers can learn from each other and collectively improve their technology integration practices.
5. Reflective teaching
The SAMR model encourages teachers to reflect on their current teaching practices and consider how technology can be used to enhance student learning. This reflective process promotes ongoing growth and development as teachers continually refine their instruction to best meet the needs of their students.
6. Differentiation and Personalization
The SAMR model helps teachers recognize that not all students learn in the same way. By incorporating various technology tools and strategies, teachers can provide a more diverse range of learning experiences, catering to different learning styles and individual needs.
Is the SAMR model the only framework for integrating technology in education?
No, there are other frameworks, such as TPACK (Technology Pedagogical Content Knowledge), that also offer guidance for educators on how to effectively integrate technology into their instruction.
Bottom line
The SAMR model provides a valuable framework for educators to carefully integrate technology into their teaching practices. By understanding and applying the different levels of the model, teachers can improve their instruction and create more engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.
As technology continues to evolve, it is critical that educators stay informed and adapt their methods accordingly, ensuring technology is used purposefully to support and enrich student learning. By embracing the SAMR model, teachers can make informed decisions about technology integration and truly transform the educational landscape.
Sources:
Hamilton, R., Rosenberg, M. & Akcaoglu, M. (2016). The substitution augmentation modification redefinition (SAMR) model: a critical review and suggestions for its use. Technology Trends, 60:433-441, DOI 10.1007/s11528-016-0091-y
Puentedura, R. (2006). Transformation, technology and education [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://hippasus.com/resources/tte/
Romrell, D., Kidder, LC, & Wood, E. (2014). The SAMR model as a framework for evaluating mLearning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 18(2), 79-93.
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