Understanding SAMR

 THE SAMR MODEL


Source Image 3p Learning


Throughout the years, I have had the privilege of seeing how technology has been used in our classrooms to help educate our children. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, technology is defined as “a manner of accomplishing a task, especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge”. These technical processes have evolved throughout the century as humankind has obtained a better understanding of the world around us. In my days and my part of the world educational technology consisted of the use of a chalkboard and a piece of chalk.

Image Source Alamy


I was always fascinated by the Chinese traditional calculator, which too is a piece of technology that has stood the test of time and is used in schools.


                   Image Source Dreamstime.com


  1. What is SAMR?


SAMR stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. It is a model that explains how technology can affect teaching and learning.

This is a very interesting model developed by Dr. R. Puentedura and based on his observations of the impact of technology on learning. The model presents levels that build on each other as building blocks. At the substitution level, technology acts as a direct substitute to an older system. And so, the blackboard and chalk that I used as a child would be directly replaced with an electronic Chromebook without any particular improvement. At the augmentation level, the new technology, here the Chromebook, adds a functional improvement, such as the ability to electronically connect all the students in the classroom to their teacher and to each other. At the modification level, a task redesign is added, as the ability to suggest a different way to solve a problem or ask that a certain specific technique be used. At the redefinition level, previously inconceivable tasks are created. Here I am thinking of tasks such as I-ready and I-excel which take into account the previously assessed reading and math level of the students, and tasks such as Kahoot which allows different players to answer and be graded on a quiz simultaneously. 


  1. The benefits of understanding SAMR

Understanding this model is powerful before it allows educators to know that the efficiency of a new technology depends on how and when it was introduced to its new users. For educators like me who are a little reluctant when it comes to technology, understanding that new technology is not only a substitute but can also augment and redefine is important and eye-opening. Understanding this model will help an educator choose what he or she intends to do when introducing a new technology to students. The educator will also know what the new technology will not instantly accomplish and will take the necessary steps so that the new technology does not become a distraction and end up deterring students from learning.


Source Image: Hudson City School District


  1. This is a "good" both for the students and the educators


One of the realities that emerged after the pandemic forced us to introduce greater technologies in our classroom is the fact that educators were poorly prepared for this change. This includes me. Understanding the SAMR is a powerful step towards remedying our educator's understanding of technology, its advantages, and the methods for successfully introducing it in classrooms.

Conclusion

Technology’s goal has always and will always be to benefit humans beings. It is in this perspective that we view its use in education. Technology helps us understand the world around us and how to use matter to meet our needs be they social, intellectual, relational etc…. But like any other technology, systems need to be put in place so that overuse and misunderstanding of their capabilities does not make new technologies detrimental to us and to our children.

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