Tag Archives: technology enabled learning

21st century learning, Leadership Perspective, SAMR, Technology Enabled Learning, TEL

SAMR: A day with Dr. Puentedura

9 Comments

The last 2 weeks have been filled with amazing opportunities to spend quality time with passionate Ontario educators:  the WRDSB  CATC by the Water annual summer PD session, the  OSAPAC  summer planning session and a full day event focused on the  SAMR  technology integration model — talk about awesome!

The SAMR day was very exciting as the presentation given by Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura, the researcher and author of this model.   The SAMR model defines 4 levels of technology use for learning as described in the diagram below.  The focus of  the day was to look at the SAMR model in the context of many different grade levels and subject disciplines.

SAMRgraphic

Personally, I found the day fascinating.  Dr. Puentedura presented many excellent examples of SAMR within the context of Ontario curriculum.   One example that particularly resonated with me was around the idea of reading.  In terms of the substitute level, one can read on paper or read on a screen, highlight on paper or highlight on the screen etc.  This shift really only serves to set the stage for the A, M and R levels.   The augmentation level might include using an e-reader auto read feature to improve the experience and understanding.  The modification level might include a task redesign such as extracting the highlighted notes and using them in new contexts such as word processing, wikis or in social media contexts such as twitter. The redefinition could include blogging by engaging students in reading circles, providing meaningful comments on other’s work and asking probing questions.  This could be extended for deeper meaning by replacing an essay with a digital video production. Video components would include narrative, images, context etc.  Students could further engage by providing meaningful comments on other videos  and asking probing questions.  Other examples I appreciated centred around social technologies (a range of tools from email to Facebook) and story telling.

The bonus in the day was that Dr. Puentedura  joined our table for lunch – yes!!!  We enjoyed a great free flowing discussion about his research – many contexts, environments and countries.  There is no real way to capture all of the things we talked about in our rich discussion, but here are a few highlights:

  • technology is important in a participatory culture of learning (power to connect and collaborate)
  • 1 : 1 – not absolutely essential but it does make a huge difference, so desirable
  • laptops vs tablets … drum roll … tablets

The day was truly amazing, and I couldn’t help but leave feeling energized and wondering about a practical way to put this into action.

Suggestion for Ontario elementary teachers:   Check out the new  social studies  curriculum document (or choose a curriculum relevant to you) with an eye to technology integration and the SAMR model.  I personally see many possibilities with the included citizenship framework of active participation, identity, structures and attributes.  Some of the possibilities I see are  inquiry based research, writing/blogging, collaboration tools, wikis, digital maps, digital timelines, presenting (posters, videos etc.) and age appropriate social media tools.  Wonder, and ponder.  What possibilities do you see?  Share your great idea(s) by leaving a comment to this blog post.

Related Resources

A  (YouTube)  video introduction  to SAMR by Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura
SAMR  event tweet stream
SAMR resources on  scoop it!
SAMR  presenter notes

Happy learning and integrating.

~Mark

Note: Cross posted to VoicED.ca

21st century learning, Leadership Perspective

Technology Enabled Learning: Leadership, Change, Capacity Building

9 Comments

Last week I connected with WRDSB Principal James Bond to have a conversation about his learnings over the last year with the major tablet initiative in his school. We had a great discussion, and James agreed to me writing this blog post based on our conversation.

I kicked off the conversation with a few questions to frame our discussion.

1. How do you see the role of the principal in terms of leadership in the area of technology enabled learning?
2. What were the key ingredients to building capacity among the staff?
3. How did you approach changing what was the norm in your school?

Shift

Shift takes a lot of effort, and you have to be prepared to work hard to move towards the desired result. Another important aspect is respect – respect that teachers, just like students, are a continuum of learning. The school leader can support teachers learning at their own level and setting obtainable growth targets. It is helpful to help people see the benefit in change. They have to want to invest the time and energy required. Support staff in conquering their techno fears – let it go, don’t focus on it. In today’s world, the students may very well know more about the ‘web world’, but that is OK. Teachers need to learn how to leverage technology to improve student learning, not know absolutely everything about it.

Role of the School Leader

The role of the school leader is multi facetted in bringing technology enabled learning alive in the building. Some ideas that made a significant difference with the staff were:

  • learn with your staff, role modelling is important
  • create a culture of learning and sharing among staff (note: over time, staff build the capacity to support each other)
  • share successes teacher to teacher, take pride in “look what I did” – seeing makes a difference.
  • staff meeting activity: share one thing you learned from another staff member
  • set up a staff tour – have each teacher show one way they used technology to support and improve learning
  • work with the staff to make it as easy as possible for teachers to try things
  • Examples: mount smart boards – less messing with cords and set up, purchase document cameras for each room to avoid moving/setup
  • support the acquisition of technology through all suitable avenues
  • consider the impact of radical change vs. gradual change with continued success
  • create the right culture: There will always be new tools and new technology. Is it always about student learning.

Instructional Practice

Technology enabled learning must be built on instructional excellence. Consider the change, pedagogy and technology elements. Staff may be a bit uncomfortable, but should not be totally overwhelmed with technology.  In the end, technology well used is almost invisible in the learning process. A great place to start with technology enabled learning is connecting use to our Board identified high yield instructional strategies and the school success plan. Make a point of sharing successes. Teachers talking to teachers is an important part of the process.

Ideas Going Forward

Thinking of the system perspective, we need to find better ways to celebrate technology enabled learning and raise awareness. Seeing makes a difference. It is important to keep creating opportunities to share. Perhaps leveraging area meetings and leveraging opportunities through family of schools meetings is one avenue.

Other Resources

Follow James on Twitter
James’ Blog
Park Manor School
Learn more from James’ session at ECOO 2012

~Mark
Cross posted to Ontario ConnectED Leaders and VoicEd.ca