Tech Integration in the Classroom

I have always been interested in technology integration because in this fast changing world, students need to have the technology skills they will need for life. However, I was not sure how to integrate technology and where to find the resources. However, I feel this class has helped me learn how to do that.

I always remember playing games in the classroom. In elementary school we would play games on websites such as fun brain. However, through this class I have seen the importance of less classroom specific gaming. For instance, I loved playing Puzzle Pirates as a kid. This class has taught me I could use that in my classroom. Puzzle pirates could be used to help teach geometry or other math concepts. The students would not know that they were learning, but they would actually be learning a lot of key math concepts.

The SAMR model is a model of the way technology is integrated into the classroom.

Substitution is in the Enhancement stage of the SAMR model. This is where technology acts as a direct substitute for a tool.

An example of this would be students writing their notes on a google document instead of pen and paper.

Augmentation is in the Enhancement stage of the SAMR model. This is where technology is still a direct substitute for a tool, however there is some advancements in functionality.

An example of this would be students taking a test through Socrative and getting automatic feedback on their tests.

Modification is in the Transformation stage of the SAMR model. This is where technology allows for task redesign.

This is where instead of doing a test, students are doing a comprehensive project.

An example of this would be students doing a movie project.

Redefinition is in the Transformation stage of the SAMR model. This is where technology creates new tasks. These tasks were never thought of as possible before.

An example of this is where students talk to kids across the country via Skype.

Through this class I have learned how to integrate technology into my classroom. I have also learned some resources to use in my classroom. I am really excited to get to use this knowledge in my future classroom. I think this will allow my students to learn a lot of information that will help them later in life.