SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification & Redefinition)

In my own opinion, I believe that the concept of SAMR is a very important tool for teachers to use since it outlines ways in which teachers can move away from traditional learning activities and implement a more digital version of these prior learning activities. The four basic components of the SAMR model are Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition. The first two components are classified in the enhancement section while the last two components are classified in the transformation section. In regards to the enhancement section, these two components are used to implement technology into lesson plans by replacing traditional activities with technology based activities. However, even though the activities are now substituted with technology, their primary purposes are still the same as previous activities and there are no major differences between the previous and current activities. For example, the traditional version of a quiz can be replaced with an online based quiz like Kahoot and it allows for students to implement technology into their academic careers while not making significant changes to the curriculum/learning. These two components are very important to the SAMR model since it allows for technology to be slowly integrated into lessons while also allowing for traditional activities to be replaced by technology based activities. In regards to the transformative section, these two components are used to completely implement technology into the classroom by changing/updating tasks to be better suited by using technology. This section looks for ways to create tasks that could not have been conducted without the use of technology. For example, one of the major ways in which technology has allowed for a complete transformation of past ideas/activities is the use of technology to conduct interactive field trips. The conventional way of field trips is still a very prominent activity within schools; however, technology allows for students and teachers to be able to conduct field trips without having to worry about major factors that may impact their field trip. Also, this activity allows for students to be able to learn/navigate different tools that the interactive field trip may present to them. Overall, I believe that the SAMR model is a major tool that teachers should use in their classrooms since it allows for traditional activities to be conducted digitally while also allowing for activities to be redefined which can lead to new activities being created in the classroom.

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