The SAMR Model and Why You Should Care

I know that parents and teachers worry about how much screen time students experience in a day, and the long-term effects of technology on young people. It's hard to deny that "kids these days" are spending quite a bit of time immersed in their phones, tablets, computers, and video games.

However, I believe that not all screen time is created equal. Think about what you do as an adult - your time spent in front of a screen typing doing a research project for grad school or creating a movie about your latest family trip is much different that the time you spend binge-watching Netflix. The trick about screen time is to reduce time student spend being information consumers and increase the time that they can use technology to create informative, creative, and inspiring products. But how do teacher begin to do that in their classrooms?

Dr. Ruben Puentedura created the SAMR model to help teachers conceptualize how to use technology with students to its greatest potential and as Dr. Puentedura says in his video, "evolve their practice." 

Image credit: https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Instructional_design/SAMR_Model/What_is_the_SAMR_Model%3F

I also love this very short YouTube video by John Spencer that explains the SAMR model while giving example of each stage:

Side note: John Spencer is amazing and has some excellent videos for teachers on his YouTube channel!

Of course, no teacher can always exist in the "Redefinition" mode, and it's all about fitting the task and desired learning goals to the tech tool. It's all about using all of the possible capabilities of technology in the classroom to enhance and deepen students' learning. Remember that 1:1 devices, such as iPads, have cameras, video cameras, speakers, audio recording devices, assistive technology capabilities, and access to the world (and possibly the universe) through internet connectivity. It's important for teachers to have their students use those tools wisely and purposefully.

Start small! Think about a lesson or activity that's now in the Substitution mode. Is there any way that it would better serve your students if you redesigned it so that it feel into Augmentation, or even Modification?

Want More? Here are some more resources:

Hear more about applying the SAMR Model from the source, Dr. Ruben Puentedura, on Common Sense Media's site.

Curious about Redefinition and want some concrete ideas? Here's a link to a post on Matt Miller's Ditch That Textbook blog that outlines 10 ways to reach the Redefinition level with an assignment.

Here's a BloomBoard by Valerie Ferguson with examples of how to apply the SAMR model to all grade levels and subjects.