Integrating Technology

How can we purposefully integrate technology and design learning experiences to engage young adolescents?

Despite the fact that this is the age of technology, many of us (digital immigrants) have a difficult time with integration of technology. The SAMR model shows us the progression of technology integration within the classroom. 

I believe that lots of teachers are stuck in the "Substitution" or "Augmentation" phases due to restrictions on access to technology and lack of funding for devices for student use. According to the SAMR model, developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, the "Substitution" level provides "no functional change in teaching and learning." Examples would be using Google Earth to locate a place on a map instead of an Atlas or printing out worksheets for students to fill out and turn in. This is probably the most common level of the majority of teachers at this time.

The "Augmentation" level provides only some functional change and the presence of immediate feedback increases the level of student engagement. Examples of this are using Google Earth rulers to measure the distance between two points or creating a Google Form to administer a quiz. A handful of teachers have adopted this level of technology integration and are quite comfortable with the idea that they haven't completely given control of instruction to the students. I must admit that this is about as far up the SAMR scale as I have gone.

The "Modification" and "Redefinition" levels are for serious users and integrators of technology. It amazes me that there are entire schools out there such as New Milford High School in Bergen County, New Jersey, who have achieved the "Transformation" levels of the SAMR model and wholeheartedly embrace the concept of total technology integration. 

In the article "Students using Cell Phones in Class? It's Happening Right in Bergen County!" Eric Sheninger, principal of New Milford High School states, "bringing your own devices to school has demonstrated a dramatic increase in student productivity." He and his teaching staff have implemented a BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) plan in which students are allowed to bring in their own devices and teachers are free to decide how best to utilize this technology within their classrooms.

Personally, I believe this shift in thinking is a positive way to move forward in the inevitable progression of technology integration. I am inspired to create a plan to discuss ways in which my school can move higher up the SAMR model as a whole, in order to increase student achievement. As Dr. Puentedura states, "While one might argue over whether an activity can be defined as one level or another, the important concept to grasp here is the level of student engagement."