The SAMR and TPACK models offer useful strategies for technology implementation in the classroom. In all of our courses, our instructors have emphasized the need make education multimodal; technology is often highlighted as one of the best ways to facilitate this.
Reflecting on the SAMR model raised several questions for me: How can I use technology to enrich my students learning, rather than assume that it’s presence alone will enrich the process? Furthermore, it made me ponder not only about how to make a project/unit multimodal, but more importantly why I should? The ability to answer these questions will help me as an educator to provide meaning and engagement in lesson planning.
The SAMR Model can be particularly useful for analyzing the ways in which you can tier a lesson with technology. An important caveat to remember is that stages like modification and redefinition do not inherently make the assignment richer or more effective, but rather only label the way in which technology is implemented.
The TPACK Framework is also quite fascinating. I think the three identified areas of knowledge are all critical to consider when course planning; I think too often I focus on content knowledge and take for granted that all my students will innately understand the technological tool I choose. I also like that it offers considerations for the context of the class, and how the student composition and resources available will affect how you are able to teach.
I found a website which really helped me understand the applications of the TPACK model and offered critiques and comparisons of the SAMR model. It also offers in-class examples of what using the model in class would look like. I found this quote from the website which summarizes my thoughts about this pedagogical strategy:
“If nothing else, TPACK can be a helpful mantra urging you to step back and look at your whole strategy and the nuanced connections between all of its moving parts”
Website: https://www.schoology.com/blog/tpack-framework-explained
I think using both of these frameworks as a reflective tool will be valuable as an instructor; they offer not only insight to the ways in which a project can be changed through technology, but the opportunity to think about the way education can be most effective and accessible.
