The What, the Why and the How of Technology Integration: The How & SAMR

In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss the “how” of technology integration and the practical framework SAMR. They talk about how instructors can utilize this framework to integrate technology with their courses. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions. You can also visit our blog at cedarville.edu/focusblog for additional resources.

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SAMR, an acronym for the four levels of technology integration, was created by Ruben Puentedura and is a practical framework for technology integration. 

• Substitution: technology is a direct tool substitute with no functional change. 
• Augmentation: technology acts as a direct tool substitute with functional improvement. 
• Modification: technology allows for significant task redesign. 
• Redefinition: technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable. 

According to Puentedura, substitution is the lowest level of integration; redefinition is the highest. Substitution and augmentation are seen as methods of improving learning tasks. Modification and redefinition can lead to transformed learning tasks. 

Research has shown that educators integrate technology at the substitution and augmentation level, so how do we push ourselves into the complex levels? Here are some tips:  

• Schedule time to try it out. Put it on your calendar and hold to it. Create an opportunity to try. 
• Be willing to fail (yeah, I know that’s hard to read). Remember that failure isn’t failure; it’s feedback. 
• Build a network of other educators. Maybe they failed already, and you can learn from them! 

Questions to ask (from 3plearning.org) 

• What am I hoping to achieve by using this technology? 
• How will it make a difference to my students’ learning? 
• Why is it preferable to not using technology? 
• How equipped are my students and I to use this technology? 
• How much time do I have to invest in making it work? 

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Resources 

SAMR: A Brief Introduction (slideshow) 

How to Apply the SAMR Model with Ruben Puentedura (video) 

How to Use Technology in the Classroom: Benefits and Effects  

Applying the SAMR model to aid your digital transformation