Launching a 1:1 Environment Using the SAMR Model

I am embarking on a new role this year that includes my previous role as an instructional coach, but now includes responsibilities as a technology coach as well and mentor for the literacy and math coaches. This is a great opportunity for growth and development. However, in thinking about each of these roles separately, I realized that the need for frameworks is crucial. In thinking about the technology portion of my work, I canvased the web and Twitter for results. Everything pointed to the work of Dr. Ruben Puentedura and the SAMR Model. 

We were lucky enough to have Dr. Ruben Puentedura visit us in Buffalo, NY for a full day of professional development. Before the session, I felt as though I, along with a few staff members, had a pretty good understanding of the SAMR Model and how to intergrate technology in the classroom. However, there was much more learning and understanding that occurred in that short six-hour session.

One of the biggest lessons of the day was understanding that it is in fact okay to start at the substitution level instead of reaching for redefinition right away. Then, as you become more comfortable with the work, look ahead to augmentation and the possibilities at the next level.  For each progression you can consult the chart below and reflect on the implementation. The process seems to follow a plan, implement, reflect, and revise format. This work is always rewarding if you can link up with a colleague or a coach so that you have a thought partner alongside to think through and evaluate the work.

The SAMR Ladder: Questions and Transitions
• Substitution:
• What will I gain by replacing the older technology with the new technology?
• Substitution to Augmentation:
• Have I added an improvement to the task process that could not be accomplished with the older technology at a fundamental level?
• How does this feature contribute to my design?
• Augmentation to Modification:
• How is the original task being modified?
• Does this modification fundamentally depend upon the new technology? • How does this modification contribute to my design?
• Modification to Redefinition:
• What is the new task?
• Will any portion of the original task be retained?
• How is the new task uniquely made possible by the new technology? • How does it contribute to my design? 

In order to work through the SAMR Ladder, Dr. Puentedura also suggested trying to launch into a "ladder project." We tried a simulation of this in the actual session and it was beneficial to hear each group make decisions about the project and work at each of the levels. They used the questions and transitions above to work through the progressions. Most importantly, they used the "ladder project" options below to get the work started.

Choosing the First SAMR Ladder Project: Three Options
• Your Passion:
• If you had to pick one topic from your class that best exemplifies why you became fascinated with the subject you teach, what would it be?
• Barriers to Your Students’ Progress:
• Is there a topic in your class that a significant number of students get stuck on, and fail to progress beyond?
• What Students Will Do In the Future:
• Which topic from your class would, if deeply understood, best serve the interests of your students in future studies or in their lives outside school? 

Our staff has worked intensely over the last few weeks to begin designing instruction using the SAMR model. This growth will continue as we come together in future professional development settings and share the work from our classrooms. In these PDs, we will use the SAMR Model and the SAMR Questions and Transitions to reflect on our work. Finally, any teacher looking for a place to start will work through a "ladder project."

This is an exciting time for me as well, as I will have the unique opportunity to work side-by-side with so many great educators as they embark on the 1:1 experience. I will work with veteran teachers as well as new teachers to help facilitate teaching and learning with iPads. The work of Dr. Puentedura and his SAMR model has provided us with the necessary framework to launch the work and now it's up to us to climb the ladder of possibilities ahead.


Resources:
Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Putting SAMR and the EdTech Quintet to Work.(2013) Online at: http://hippasus.com