Technology Integration

How do we best integrate technology into our curriculum?  There are two popular frameworks for integrating technology; TPACK and SAMR models.  These two frameworks have different approaches to how educators integrate technology into their classrooms, but both have the common goal of getting students engaged with the digital world.  

TPACK: Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge

TPACK is a model that looks at the overlap of the three types of knowledge teachers have.  Their knowledge with technology, their knowledge of pedagogy, and their knowledge of their content.   It is then about finding ways to tie all this together.  This model is a holistic approach to the integration of technology.  It can allow teachers to really dig deep with their content and teaching styles to fully integrate their classrooms.  However, it can also be very time consuming and complicated to fully wrap all three parts together to implement.

SAMR: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition

SAMR is a model that can be used to identify current levels of technology integration and look at ways of increasing its effectiveness.  It can be implemented at different levels, which makes it an easy way of quickly getting more technology into the classroom.  The goal then is to build up to higher levels of integration as a teacher uses technology more and more.  

In my district we have been trained using the SAMR Model.  The training for SAMR was pretty straightforward and powerful.  We had an interactive session in which we got to see a comparison of each level of the SAMR model in action.  For example, for the substitution level we were shown a paper copy of a worksheet to complete and then in comparison, shown how to make that same worksheet digital.  I also think it is important not to overwhelm teachers when teaching new strategies.  If I was training staff on the SAMR model, I would do four mini lessons over the course of four weeks.  This would also staff to see how they could use each level of the SAMR model and then have a week to implement it before moving on to the next level.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both frameworks, but I believe that the SAMR model is more acceptable, and more importantly more feasible for teachers to implement.   It doesn’t require as much of an overall to a teacher’s curriculum and can be integrated at different levels at different places and pace.  

No matter which framework you choose, the end goal is to make learning more student-centered and more engaging.  Teachers need to continue to find ways to prepare students to be 21st century learners and that includes working, creating, and using technology.