SAMR model of technology integration

Today we often forget how technology can being incorporated into the classroom to help improve the quality of learning for the students. Recently, I attended my very first webinar. This webinar was presented by Susan Oxnevad. She presented an educational theory to help understand and use technology to help better the educational experience. This theory is called the SAMR model.

What the Webinar taught me about the SAMR model

This model is actually very simple to understand through examples. The first stage is substitution. This is when the technology as used to directly substitute as the tool with no functional change. This stage is simply typing up a paper vs writing it by hand. The same amount of effort is needed meaning nothing is improved. The second step is Augmentation. This is when the technology is a substitution for the tool but has a functional improvement. This stage is using a simple tool to improve the quality of work produced. This is taking the time to spell check a paper before printing. This tool is simple and easy to use but makes a large improvement to the work produced. The next step moves from the enhancement stage, or the stage of basic knowledge, and move learning into the transformation stage, or the stage of higher learning. This step is modification. Modification is when the technology allows for a huge task redesign. This is using resources to further learning the subject when not in the physical class room. This stage allows students to constantly collaborate outside the classroom.It is the action of giving students more resources to use outside of the classroom like multimedia. The final step is redefinition. This step is taking the task and using it in ways that was not conceivable before. This is skyping an astronaut while teaching a space lesson. This action is simply mind-blowing. Can you imagine the joy you would have had asking an astronaut questions? This joy creates fully engaged children which means they are going to have the highest results from their education. Some tools to help to create this type of digital learning experience in the classroom are Wikispaces, http://www.thinglink.com/action/store/education, Google Docs, and Common Core Standards.

The Webinar experience

This being my first experience of a webinar, I must admit I was very nervous. After the webinar began, my nerves were put to easy. The format was much like a classroom in my bedroom. I felt as if the chance to improve myself through technology was endless and if it was so simple for me it must be simpler for children. I did become easily distract though and fear this being a larger problem with young children. That being said, I did take advantage of reviewing the video. To review a lesson on my own time was extremely valuable and could never be offered in a classic classroom setting. This would allow more freedom to students for learning at their own pace, particularly on difficult subjects. Overall I found Susan's webinar extremely resourceful and it helped me greatly understand how children of this generation learn and become more engaged.