what is SAMR?
The SAMR Model of Digital Integration is a framework that guides teachers on the appropriate use of technology and a tool for teaching and learning. The SAMR Model is an effective decision making tool when coupled with the TPACK Model of digital integration. The SAMR Model consists of four components across two categories.
It should be noted that the Enhancement and Transformational categories of this model can be viewed as Teaching and Learning.
- Enhancement
- Substitution - the replacement of a component of instruction with a different yet similar resource that yields the same outcome without functional change. An example of substitution would be a student completing a Google Form as a method of quiz completion. The same questions on the Google Form could be given in a paper-based format. Substitution should be the least utilized component within the SAMR Model.
- Augmentation - the addition of a digital component that enhances the delivery of instructional content while providing some functionality within the learning environment. An example of augmentation would be a student completing a formative assessment through the use of a gamified online quizzing resource, like KaHoot. The integration of KaHoot provides a slight functionality change to the way students engage with the assessment.
- Transformation
- Modification - the redesign of instruction that serves to provide learners the opportunity to dig more deeply into the instructional content. An example of modification would be requiring that students develop their own formative assessments related to specified topics and providing an answer key for their assessment. Modification requires that learners take the time to engage with the information and utilize innovative teaching and learning strategies that require higher order thinking skills to achieve task completion. Most instructional content should be developed to ensure that students are working at this level within the SAMR Model.
- Redefinition - the transformation of current knowledge into new information. An example of redefinition would be to integrate project and problem-based learning (PBL) within a lesson plan, as both activities and as an assignment. Students who engage in PBL are required to activate higher order thinking to synthesize the learner information into a product of knowledge that proves learning goal mastery. In this redefinition, or redesign, the learning artifact may look nothing like the content presented within instruction but will be made through application, evaluation, and utilization of the information. For example, an effective PBL, used as a summative assessment, could be to have students create a website, online journal, video blog, or social media page about the lesson topic.
It should be noted that the Enhancement and Transformational categories of this model can be viewed as Teaching and Learning.
- Teachers enhance instruction, purposefully.
- Students transform learned information into new knowledge as needed.