Technology Framework Self-Evaluation

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This week I had the opportunity to take a closer look at a few different technology frameworks. Prior to this module, I was unaware of the majority of these frameworks. We have touched on The SAMR Model a little bit in my school, but we have not implemented the use of this framework as a school or myself as an individual. I decided to take a closer look at this model since we have spoke about it in my building and because it is the most commonly used model in the field of education. 


What is The SAMR Model?

The SAMR Model was first introduced by Dr. Ruben Puentedura in 2010. The title is an acronym that stands for his four different steps for technology enhancement and transformation. Those four steps are: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Dr. Puentedura created this model so teachers could reflect on their technology usage as well as identify meaningful pieces of technology that would enhance and transform their instruction.

Breaking Down the Areas of SAMR:

Let's take a closer look at the four different areas that make up The SAMR Model:

Image Source: Edutopia.org

Substitution:
In this area, teachers are replacing paper copies of notes and class assignments for digital copies. It is just a change in the way the content is delivered to the students.

Augmentation:
When it comes to augmentation, the content that is being delivered is not altered. Teachers are implementing interactive pieces such as games, links, and videos into their instruction and lessons.

Modification:
In the area of modification, teachers begin to use technology to alter their content and redesign the task at hand. The technology that is being used helps promotes higher level thinking skills. It is getting them to think critically.

Redefinition:
In the final area of The SAMR Model, learning is completely transformed. The technology that is being used alters the curriculum and task in a way that was never possible before. One example of this is, interacting with other students from another part of the world to complete research on a topic. Before tools like Google Meet and Zoom this would have never been possible! 

The SAMR Model really puts into perspective how teachers can use technology to make their classroom instruction stronger as well as how we can help our students think critically about different skills.

Self-Reflection

I will admit, as a math teacher, I have found it difficult to implement technology into my classroom. We do not have much support from our technology coaches. More of the focus is directed towards supporting our English Language Arts classes with technology tools. However, teaching from home last school year, I was thrown into finding different pieces of technology that would help me guide my students through lessons and support their math skills. There are times though where I still feel uncomfortable with using technology.

When reflecting on my own technology usage and The SAMR model, I find that I am mostly working in the enhancement areas of substitution and augmentation. Because of the pandemic, I have moved on from using paper copies of my guided notes to uploading digital copies that my students can assess via their Classkick accounts. The students are able to write on their Chromebooks to take their notes. What is nice about this is that no papers can get lost and students are always able to access these notes either at home or at school.

When it comes to practicing our math skills, I enjoy being able to engage my students through the use of Kahoot, Quizizz, or Blooket activities. These activities provide me with formative data that allows me to see how my students are doing when working independently on skills. Right now, their favorite game to play is Crypto Hack on Blooket. 

Going forward, I know that I need to think outside the box a little bit in order to use technology to transform  my instruction. This is out of my comfort zone, but I am going to be working towards it. In order to do this, I hope to attend some professional development sessions that allow me to learn new technology tools that I can implement into my math classroom.  

References:

Terada, Y. (2020, May 4). A Powerful Model for Understanding Good Tech Integration. Edutopia. 
        https://www.edutopia.org/article/powerful-model-understanding-good-tech-integration

Comments

  1. Joe Waski's DU Masters Program BlogSeptember 9, 2021 at 3:49 PM

    Hi Katie,

    Nice post! I also evaluated myself using SAMR. I picked SAMR because our administrators use it when doing walk throughs. They are trying to gauge how much tech is being used within our school and district. I also find myself mostly in the Enhancement phase of SAMR. I've definitely grown and am more open to the use of technology within my classroom. I also teach math, I had previously thought that use of tech takes away from the processing of math. After teaching through the pandemic I can see how the use of tech helps with student learning and saves a lot of time within the classroom. I still do have students write out and solve equations from time to time with paper & pencil but this is so they can find their answer then plug it into their tech.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nataliya ZelenetskaSeptember 12, 2021 at 12:44 PM

    Katie,

    I am on the same page with you as to using technology in my teaching. But I am working on it)) I just need to get out of that box )Thank you for breaking the concept into comprehensible pieces! SAMR model seems to be worth exploring more, as it can be applied to many tools we are already using.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NMZumpanoSeptember 12, 2021 at 1:56 PM

    As a former technology coach I was so sad to see you don't feel you have as much support as you should from your coaches. I can appreciate that as a math teacher you feel like you don't have a much opportunity as other subject areas to weave in technology. Don't focus on how much technology you are integrating, focus on the quality instead. I imagine there are some great opportunities to allow students to use technology to not only teach each other but to demonstrate learning as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KatieSeptember 16, 2021 at 5:18 PM

      We had a fantastic coach last school year, but he moved on. We have yet to get one this school year. I will definitely look into using technology more for my students to demonstrate their understanding. Thanks for the advice! -KM

      Delete

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