The SAMR (Substitution Augmentation Modification and Redefinition) Model is one approach to integrating technology in a classroom. The model is represented as a ladder, starting with substitution at the bottom, leading up to redefinition at the top. This is a taxonomy-based model, meaning that there is a hierarchy or linear evolvement. The SAMR model works to enhance and transform the application of technology in the classroom, starting with substitution. At the level of substitution, technology is replacing a tool, with no major change (i.e. writing an essay on a computer versus by hand). After substitution, comes augmentation. At this stage, technology acts as the replacement but also as an enhancer (i.e. reading and listening to digital books on a tablet versus a group read aloud time). Moving on from the two SAMR technology "enhancement" tiers, we come to the transformative technological uses: modification and redefinition. Modification involves redesigning a task (i.e. using an interactive simulator to learn versus textbook lectures). Finally, at the top of the SAMR model, is redefinition. Redefinition presents an opportunity for technology to not just redesign a task, but to open doors for completely new tasks (i.e. creating videos/podcasts versus an essay/oral presentation).
Technological advances are unpredictable and complicated. Each software or program comes with it's own set of user application. This makes integrating technology into a classroom all the more difficult, in that it is ever changing. There is also such a wide variety of technological tools to use, that it can be difficult for educators to decipher which are best. Numerous online learning theories, models and frameworks have been created and researched with an attempt to guide and support educators as they learn effective practices for integrating technology in their classrooms. The SAMR model, designed by Puentedura, is a more recent model of technology integration that has been gaining popularity.
Although the SAMR model presents some challenges, it is able to act as a starting point to consider how to integrate technology into your classroom. I have been teaching in early childhood for the past three years. I intend on staying within this age group as I further my teaching career. It is easy to think that, with preschoolers, these theories and practices have no application. But that is wrong! Although these students are too young to be creating edited videos, podcasts, simulators, etc. they have all of that ahead of them in their school journey. Early childhood is a time to prepare students for these things.
There are developmentally appropriate ways to introduce the SAMR model in a preschool classroom. Some of these ways include, sharing informational videos and photos on a TV or smartboard, rather than looking at posters or reading books (substitution), watching a youtube read aloud of a story, rather than the teacher reading it during group time (augmentation), playing an informative interactive digital game about how plants grow, as opposed to a scientific diagram (modification), and playing and recording music on an instrument app and voice recorder rather than just singing and playing music (redefinition). There are many ways to apply the principles of SAMR in a preschool classroom. I, personally, do not ascribe to the idea that using technology is always beneficial, especially with children who are young, but I do recognize there are benefits. In some ways, integrating technology can help children be more engaged and interested, but in other ways, technology can lead to further distraction.
Hi Ms. Linnea! I love how you incorporate the difficulties of teaching with the use of technology and how the SAMR model can be used to incorporate technology within a classroom in a much more effective way. I agree with the use of technology in a younger classroom as you said; they will need it for future classes and this will allow them to be prepared for when they grow older. This was a great point to make!
ReplyDeleteHi Linnea. I enjoyed reading your blog post. First, I like the fact that it is well-organized. Your first paragraph thoroughly describes the SAMR model, and your second paragraph explains very well why the SAMR model was created. Finally, your third and fourth paragraphs provide details on what grade levels you will be teaching and how you will use the SAMR model in your classroom. Second, I like that you describe specific examples at each level. For example, when you describe the Substitution Level, you state that the technology is simply replacing learning material with no change in the material itself, and the example you give is writing an essay on the computer versus writing it by hand.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from your Blog post. Like you, I will be teaching in Preschool classrooms, and you gave me great ideas for incorporating technology (in a limited way, because they are preschoolers) into my classroom. For example, for the Augmentation Level, you mention watching a YouTube read-aloud of a story instead of the teacher reading it during group time. Also, you give an example of the Redefinition Level when you detail how students could play and record music on an instrument app or voice recorder rather than just playing the music or singing it.
Finally, a question I have for you is that you write in your third paragraph, “Although the SAMR model presents some challenges, it is able to act as a starting point to consider how to integrate technology into the classroom.” However, your blog post does not describe what those challenges are. Hamilton's article describes three challenges with the SAMR model. The first challenge is that the SAMR model does not give enough attention to the context in which technology is used. The second challenge is that it need to be more flexible because it only has four hierarchical levels with no room for nuance. What is the third challenge Hamilton mentions in her article?
Hi Linnea. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I think you explained the topic of the SAMR model well and very detailed. I would agree with teaching this to early childhood students as it would prepare them for higher grades. Keep up the great work :)
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