Breaking down the different levels in which one can integrate technology into their classroom is a really helpful way to understand its uses and benefits. The SAMR model opened my eyes to the difference between just substituting a piece of technology for an old way of doing things (like using word to write instead of a pen and paper) and truly altering students learning experience by using technology as a doorway to a new world in education. One model I looked at showed substitution as swimming on the surface of the water and redefinition as a submarine at full submersion in the ocean. This image really put it into perspective for me. Technology can be a tool that can show students things they have never seen before and foster a completely new understanding of the world and people around them. This is such an inspirational idea, and I most definitely want to incorporate technology in a meaningful way that will benefit the children and their families. I think as a new teacher, it may be challenging to find a number of ways to do this at a modification or redefinition level. I am just not familiar with the technological tools and programs that are available and beneficial to use. But once I am more knowledgable about the resources out there it will begin to flow more naturally into my instruction.
Hi Alysha,
ReplyDeleteI loved this image too about the SAMR model and thought that it really summed up what SAMR is all about! I'm trying to think of ways that I too can take my lessons and get them to that "transformation" stage, which I agree will help to benefit not only our students and their families. I definitely need to do some more research on different tools and programs as well, and feel like you that this will flow more naturally into instruction in time. Luckily, we have so many creative minds in our cohort, that I think there will be so many awesome ideas generated that we can pull from each other and adapt to our individual grade levels.
Sarah