SAMR Model- A Technology Integration Model, Part 1

SAMR Model, A Technology Integration Model, Part 1- Starting to Construct Knowledge of the Transformational Power of Technology

* While reading this post and watching the video, please bear the following question in mind. What is one way I could apply my understanding of the SAMR Model of Transformational Learning?

"A good quarterback throws the ball to where the receiver is going to be, not where he was."

~Kevin Honeycutt

We want to do our best to prepare students for their future by making our best predictions of the content and pedagogy that that will reach them now and prepare them for later. There is no doubt that technology will be embedded in both careers and college for our students.

Because of this it is wise for us to integrate technology in a methodical and strategic way. There are so many ways technology can be integrated; yet time is a limited resource, both with preparations for our lessons as well as in the classroom with our students. The SAMR Model of Transformational Learning is a lens with which to look at this. When understood it can allow teachers to make educated decisions as to which type of technology to use. This model was created by Ruben Puentedura.

Here is a link to this graphic in case you would like to open and print it.

(Video length: 4:07) Here's the direct link. To view this video full screen, click the icon on the right.

Notably, Puentedura introduced this model in collaboration with MLTI yet it is internationally known. For more information on the SAMR model, visit Ruben Peuntedura's website.

A frequent comparison of the SAMR Transformational Model of Learning is with Bloom's Taxonomy where the bottom portion of the triangle is lowest-level of thinking and the upper is the highest-level of thinking. In the SAMR Model, Substitution is the lowest-level of technology use whereas Redefinition is the highest-level of use. With that said, substitution is not a bad place to be. We want to ensure, however, that we aim for the upper levels of the SAMR Model, being Modification and Redefinition.

In the future I will write Part 2 of this blog post series- SAMR Model, A Technology Integration Model, Part 2- Digging Deeper.

Think back and reflect for a moment on the question posed at the beginning: What is one way I could apply my understanding of the SAMR Model of Transformational Learning? With that, I thank you for taking your precious time learning about this model. If you are comfortable, please leave your reflection on the question in a comment below.