The SAMR Model

The SAMR Model was developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura as a way for teachers to evaluate how they are incorporating technology into their instructional practice. You can use SAMR to reflect upon how you are integrating technology into your classroom. At it’s simplest form, the SAMR model states that when you introduce technology to an environment, like a classroom, generally the first thing the user will do is figure out a way to use technology as a Substitute for an existing task.  As you “climb up the SAMR ladder” you see a shift of pedagogical practice from teacher-centered to student-driven.  This is exemplified by the “R” in SAMR which stands for Redefinition – or, simply put, when technology allows for a creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable.  (see SAMR model image)

Intro to SAMR [VIDEO]:

The Impact of the SAMR Model (Ruben Puentedura) [VIDEO]:

Taking it a little further:
The problem with the “ladder” visual is that teachers may think they have accomplished all they need to once they reach the “R” in SAMR and don’t know what to do next.  Or teachers will struggle to reach the “R” level and feel that they are failing as a result.

Insert the SAMR “swimming pool” developed by Carl Hooker.  If we stop thinking of SAMR as a ladder that we should try to climb, but instead a pool that we need to be swimming in, we are free to move about the pool in our teaching practices.  This provides a picture of the classroom that is much closer to reality.

Applying the SAMR Model (Ruben Puentedura) [VIDEO]:

Where are we?
As we look at our schools across the district I believe it is safe to say that the majority of teachers who are integrating technology are doing so at one of the two ‘Enhancement’ levels (Substitution or Augmentation).  This is not a problem, unless we are comfortable staying at these levels.  Our next steps are to work on the ideas around moving forward and ‘swimming’ in additional areas of the pool.  What can YOU do to transform your classroom into one that swims in the ‘deep end’?

Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to dialog on this, or any other educational or technology topic, please let the EdTech Team know.  We would love the opportunity to discuss with you.