ERASING THE LINE: #SWIMLAPS
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Where You've Seen This...
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Supporting Research and Resources |
The SAMR Method, Ruben R. Puentedura, Ph.D
How SAMR Works in Real Classrooms, Lynn Erickson A Powerful Model for Understanding Good Tech Integration, Youki Terada A Perspective on the SAMR Model - Blog The SAMR Swimming Pool | Erasing the Line Interactive Thinglink The SAMR Swimming Pool| Erasing the Line Animated Video The SAMR Swimming Pool | Erasing the Line Infographic The Friday Institute is offering a new stack of micro-credentials on SAMR through Digital Promise and hosted by Bloomboard |
More about this work. |
The SAMR Model | This popular model has gotten a lot of attention in the past two years. Dr. Ruben Puentedura developed the SAMR model as a way for teachers to evaluate how they are incorporating technology into their instructional practice. You can use SAMR to reflect upon how you are integrating technology into your classroom. Is it an act of Substitution? Augmentation? Modification? Or Redefinition? This model is often depicted as steps, a ladder, or a swimming pool, suggesting that educators climb/swim towards the Modification and Redefinition categories. There is a line separating Substitution and Augmentation from this Modification/ redefinition goal. The message given is that educators must “teach above the line” with a focus on Modification and Redefinition. Yet, this is where a problem arrises. To understand this dilemma, we must look at another popular model - Bloom’s Taxonomy. Today most educators are familiar with Bloom’s Taxonomy, a way of distinguishing the fundamental questions within the education system. We suggest that, just as educators work across Bloom’s levels (Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate and Create), that the levels of the SAMR model must also be flexible and align to what students are doing in the classroom. Only teaching at the level of Evaluate and Create is impossible, just as only integrating technology at the Modification and Redefinition levels are unrealistic. Thus the SAMR model in its current form is not sustainable. If the SAMR model was a swimming pool, and we all jumped in the deep end or “swam” above the “line” we would exhaust ourselves and sink - but, if we swim laps, imagine the possibilities. Working across the SAMR model will support student-centered learning just as educators teach across Bloom’s taxonomy to support student’s skills and abilities. Then imagine too the myriad of educators swimming in these technology waters: some will be doing cannonballs in the deep end (Modification, Redefinition), while some would rather stay in the shallow end (Substitution and Augmentation), while even more may need special floatation supports represented by professional development, coaching support, and professional learning networks, etc. Yet even in these digital waters educators cannot tread water and sustain teaching “above the [SAMR] line” as popularly suggested. Having shared this perspective with over a dozen schools and administrations across public schools in North Carolina as an Instructional Technology Coach and educator, this modified version is not only making sense, but is a means of taking successful steps towards a digital culture in schools and districts, especially when there is a struggle to get educators onboard with teaching with technology. 100% of our experiences sharing this new model has swayed reluctant users and given them a perspective on teaching with technology that they feel they can attain while growing toward the higher levels of the SAMR model. Aligned with ISTE Standards for Teachers (S5) & Coaches (S1,2,& 6). |
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DIGITAL TOOLS MODELED IN THIS SESSION... ALL FREE!!
DIGITAL TOOLS MODELED IN THIS SESSION... ALL FREE!!
- Images were created using Illustrator (Jaclyn is also a graphic artist in addition to being an educator and coach - she drew everything you see), but other image creation tools suggested include Canva, Pictochart, & graphics from the Noun Project
- QR codes were created using Unitag
- Twitter response generator QR code was created with QRStuff (Twitter)
- Recommended QR code reader is I-nigma
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