How can teachers use technology effectively in the primary classroom?

How can teachers use technology effectively in the primary classroom?

What is SAMR you may ask?

Created by Dr Ruben Puentedura, the Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition model is a framework that categorizes the integration of four different degrees of classroom technology. The model offers a method of seeing how computer technology may effect teaching and learning. Made up of four steps the model is said to be split into two, with Substitution and Augmentation regarded as "Enhancement" steps, while Modification and Redefinition are regarded as "Transformation" steps.

  

SAMR provides a technique for moving through the adoption of technology into teaching to find a more meaningful use of technology in teaching.  You may now ask how can you distinguish whether an activity can be defined from the model as one level or another, as it can sometimes be difficult.  In order to attempt an understanding of the SAMR process I had to research online sources and eventually found an example that was broken down into simple terms. Taking an example of a typical classroom exercise that does not use technology and taking it through each phase of SAMR. Being a keen sportsman, the example I found was investigated by... In this article the lesson in question was Physical Education – Learning To Hit a Baseball Well.

The original assignment would be: Learning how to hit a baseball by observing and listening to the teacher show the class and then each child attempting themselves. Through the SAMR model we see:

•       Substitution: The teacher videos the training exercise and uses this as the planned lesson.

•       Augmentation: The teacher videos the training exercise and provides links to other training content for example videos and articles from other teachers and coaches.

•       Modification: The teacher videos the training exercise and then gets the children to watch it as homework, allowing class time to practice and reinforce methods.

* Redefinition: Children watch video examples and practice the methods, the teacher the videos the children hitting balls allowing the teacher to provide feedback about their technique.

By simplifying the process above and applying it to a lesson has helped me understand the process of the model and believe that technology in the classroom can only be beneficial.  Or can it?

Dr Neil Selwyn is a Professor in the Faculty of Education, having worked in numerous universities. Regarded as one of the most informed and incisive writers on technology in present day education, he has written on a number of issues, including digital exclusion, education technology policymaking and the student experience of technology-based learning. In 2016 he wrote a book questioning “Is Technology Good for Education?”. The book offers a critical analysis of education technology, challenging some of the ways in which digital technology is presumed to be positively affecting education. Just because a teacher is using an ipad does this automatically enhance learning? Selwyn in effect is questioning the values, and interests that stand to gain most from the rise of digital education.

Instead Neil Selwyn considers what is being lost as digital technologies become more integral to education. This concise, analysis concludes by considering alternate approaches that might be capable of rescuing and perhaps bringing back to life the ideals of public education, whilst not ruling out the possibilities of technology altogether. 

Many educators have assumed technology is good for education, however in his book Selwyn asks his readers to think again - not because technology is in a way problematic, but because our society is, using technology to serve some interests more than others.

The introduction of technology in the classroom is evidently the greatest change that has occurred in education. Even from a young age the classroom has totally been transformed from pen and paper to a complete virtual classroom. Useing technology in education has created more educational opportunities. By using technology teachers are able to make educational data accessible to all children and teachers can also use technology to keep record of a child’s performance and provide valuable feedback.

With a numerous amount of online resources, technology can help improve teaching. To ensure a child is more engaged, teachers are able to access a number of different apps or trusted online resources to enhance the traditional ways of teaching. With the ability to access virtual lesson plans, grading software and online assessments allows teachers to save valuable time, allowing them to utilise this time by working with children who may be struggling. Instead of creating manual worksheets or correcting student work, this allows teachers to assign engaging tasks tailored to children’s needs.

Reference list

Reissman, H. (2019). 7 smart ways to use technology in classrooms. [online] ideas.ted.com. Available at: https://ideas.ted.com/7-smart-ways-to-use-technology-in-classrooms/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].

Prodigy. (2019). 25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom | Prodigy. [online] Available at: https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].

Schoology.com. (2019). SAMR Model: A Practical Guide for EdTech Integration. [online] Available at: https://www.schoology.com/blog/samr-model-practical-guide-edtech-integration [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].

Sites.google.com. (2019). Exemplars - Technology Is Learning. [online] Available at: https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/exemplars [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].

Webanywhere.co.uk. (2019). Top 6 benefits of using technology in the classroom. [online] Available at: https://www.webanywhere.co.uk/blog/2016/02/top-6-benefits-technology-classroom/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].

Bleiberg, D. (2019). Five Ways Teachers Can Use Technology to Help Students. [online] Brookings. Available at: https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/five-ways-teachers-can-use-technology-to-help-students/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2019].