Source: Image of light bulb, Public Domain, http://pixabay.com/en/the-light-bulb-light-bulb-lighting-349400/; Image of thinking bubble, Public Domain, http://pixabay.com/en/thinking-speech-bubble-comic-148170/
Welcome to a tutorial on lesson planning using SAMR. Today we're going to discuss the SAMR model in great depth and apply it to your teaching by answering the following question. What does it look like to apply the SAMR model to your teaching? Let's start off by reviewing the SAMR model.
As teachers we need to ask ourselves this question. How am I currently integrating technology into my teaching? The SAMR model addresses that question in a four-step model that's similar to a ladder. Moving up the steps of the ladder, steps one and two are lower level thinking skills. Substitution, the S, and Augmentation, the A, are designed for teachers to enhance lessons, while Modification, M, and Redefining, R, are intended for teachers to transform lessons.
Substitution at the bottom is where teachers use a very simple technology tool that will replace a no technology activity. So we are not changing the activity. We are only changing the tool that is used. In augmentation, a technology tool is needed that will offer functional improvement. So we're changing not the activity but the tool to offer a tool that allows for a little more functionality in our activity.
Moving up to modification, we begin to transform lessons as teachers. And it's here in modification that a technology tool is needed that will make a significant improvement to the existing learning activity. The learning activity is enhanced through this use of technology in modification. And it's the very top of this ladder-like model in redefining that we as teachers create an entirely new learning through the use of advanced technologies.
For example, we might share a learning using Web 2.0 tools. So let's apply these steps of SAMR to a lesson. And today we'll talk about a lesson that involves water analysis, where students will test water and report findings or levels of contaminants. So, starting from the bottom at the lowest level thinking skill category of substitution, we might have students analyze water and then use Excel to record their data entry.
So here, instead of writing their information down on a piece of paper, we will have students use Excel to record their information. We're replacing the tool of pen and paper with Excel, a technology tool. Moving up the ladder to augmentation, we might have students use the more advanced features in Excel to graph the results in some way. Again, we are not changing the actual activity. We are using a technology tool with some advanced features and more functionality to help our students shows their results, findings, and understandings.
Moving on to modification, we might have our students record their experiences, adding narration and pictures to their document, or create a video and present that video on YouTube. It's here that we as teachers begin to transform our activities. We're using technology tools and asking our students to use their high-order thinking skills.
At the very top of the ladder, in redefinition, we might ask our students to collaborate to understand their findings and maybe present that information and their understandings via a wiki or a blog. Another activity might be to have students share YouTube videos and discuss findings real time with others. It's here that we are at the very highest level of thinking skills for our students.
In today's tutorial, we've walked through a review of the SAMR model, as well as applying that to an actual activity. I gave you some ideas of activities that you could use at each stage of SAMR, so think about this question. How can your lessons be improved using the SAMR model? What information have you gotten from this tutorial or others on the SAMR model that will help you in your very own teaching?
Let's talk about some tips as far as using the SAMR model in your classrooms. First ask yourself, what level of SAMR characterizes my typical learning activities? It's important for you as a teacher to reflect on the SAMR level that characterizes your typical current learning activities so that you know where you're normally fitting in and where you can move up from there.
Next, think about this question. How can I take my learning activities to the next level? What can you change in your learning activities to reflect the next level up? Next it's important to consult with your media or technology specialist for ideas on available technology that you could use in your classrooms. So asking yourselves, who can I consult with at my school for help with these tools is an important question for you.
The last question I'd like you to think about is, how can I adapt my assessment strategies to reflect new levels of learning and technology integrations? It's here that you as a teacher want to adapt your assessment strategies so that you can continue to reflect new levels of learning and technology integration. Moving up that ladder is really important for your students, as well as your own teaching.
Today we took a deeper look at the SAMR model, and in particular we talked about what does it look like to apply the SAMR model to your teaching. Not only did we do a quick review of the SAMR model. We also applied those ideas in the different stages to a learning activity. I hope that you found today's information useful. It's a great model to learn, as technology is continuing to advance. We do need to keep up as teachers.
How can we apply these ideas? Let's reflect. What might the challenges be to applying the SAMR model to your own lessons? Can you think of a lesson that you can adapt using the SAMR model? To dive a little deeper and learn how to apply this information, be sure to check out the additional resources section associated with this video. This is where you'll find links targeted toward helping you discover more ways to apply this course material.
SAMR and TPACK: A Hands-On Approach to Classroom Practice
These slides from a presentation by Dr. Puentedura (the creator of the SAMR model) provide a practical guide to SAMR. In this presentation, the SAMR model is broken down into stages to help you successfully integrate the model into your instructional design and delivery. This is an essential presentation for educators planning on using SAMR in their practice.
SAMR, Learning, and Assessment
These slides from another presentation by Dr. Puentedura provide examples of how SAMR can change instruction, learning, and assessment in the classroom. This presentation clearly aligns TPACK and SAMR.