21st-century learning is constantly evolving and adapting to our increasingly digital world. Today’s modern classrooms are vastly different from those of the previous decades — in many schools, eBooks, computers, iPads and smartboards are the new norm. If you’re an educator, it is likely that you’ve already started integrating technology in the classroom, but are you doing this in an efficient and meaningful way?
According to Dr. Ruben Puentedura, classroom technology integration begins with substitution and augmentation. The SAMR Model, which is now used by experts all around the world, outlines four steps to technology integration — Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition.
The truth is, integrating technology into learning is a big challenge. It is important to remember technology in the classroom is about much more than replacing the old with the new. Technology should allow you to use your digital resources to enhance the learning experience and equip students with the digital literacy skills necessary for them to thrive.
If all you’re doing is replacing books with eBooks, it may be time to reconsider your strategy.
So how can you master the art of substitution and begin integrating technology into the classroom effectively? Scrudu by Akiraku allows you to easily implement the SAMR model into your daily routine. From digital assessments to everyday activities, Scrudu makes it easy to integrate technology in a meaningful and beneficial way.
What is substitution?
At this stage, technology simply replaces traditional media and resources. For example, teachers may replace paper handouts with electronic ones or use apps such as Keynote, PowerPoint and Prezi to convey information. The acts being done (reading, speaking, presenting) are exactly the same, but they are being carried out through different tools.
How Scrudu can help: Digitising assessments is easy with Scrudu. You can create your own questions or choose them from our extensive question bank created by other educators. From multiple choice tests to long answers, essay submissions, true or false questions and more, Scrudu can help you substitute away from pen and paper tests so you can reap the benefits of digital assessment. Date and time bound quizzes are also possible.
What is augmentation?
Augmentation still involves substituting away from old media into the new, but this time with more functionalities. The new technology enhances the student’s learning experience in some way, whether by improving productivity or quality of learning. An example of this might be interactive links during a presentation to create engagement, clarify concepts and provide visual stimuli.
How Scrudu can help: Setting up digital tasks and assessments with Scrudu can greatly improve the quality of students’ learning. For example, they can get instant feedback on some tests, removing significant stress and improving the feedback itself. Getting answers in real time or shortly after finishing an assignment can help students better understand where they went wrong so they can work to fix it.
Scrudu provides teachers with the possibility to digitally receive and review students’ submissions along with detailed reports. In order to help deter cheating, Scrudu also offers a browser lock and randomised question feature, where pupils get a random selection of questions chosen from a digital question bank.
What is modification?
At the stage of modification, technology is not just substituting traditional means but also helping transform daily activities. The learning processes and outcomes also change. To illustrate, using Google Docs to add comments, share feedback and collaborate with peers in real time is an example of modification, as this would not be the same if done with pen and paper.
How Scrudu can help: Scrudu allows pupils to experience a wide range of questions. With 8 different question types available, they can switch up the format and think critically about their answers. Scrudu also allows educators to provide personalised feedback, giving students a more customised and relevant experience.
Scrudu can aid educators prevent cheating through real-time invigilation. The system will flag students when they’re not on task or if they have opened another website or software tool, allowing teachers to better manage their classroom. Additionally, Scrudu can provide a bird’s eye view that encapsulates essential data metrics such as most difficult and easiest questions and average time taken to complete an assignment.
What is redefinition?
The last step of the model, redefinition, is primarily about transforming the student experience through technology. In this scenario, technology allows students to do something that would not have otherwise been possible. An example of this would be students using the internet to connect with other students in another country to learn more about their culture or reflect on some previous task.
How Scrudu can help: Through data on individual progress, Scrudu allows teachers to notice struggling students before it’s too late. Moreover, e-assessment allows educators to use media such as videos, sounds and even games in examinations, improving engagement and making learning fun. This can be especially helpful to visual and auditory learners as well as people with disabilities.
For teachers, Scrudu can make creating and preparing for assessments much easier and practical. Educators can create large practice question banks with pre-fed solutions and unlimited attempts so students can improve their understanding and learn as they go. Teachers can also benefit from getting detailed analytics on assessment results so they know exactly what was done well and what needs improvement.
Closing thoughts…
SAMR is more like a spectrum than a hierarchy. This means that redefinition is not always the ideal goal, rather, what you should aim for is context-sensitive. Substitution might be your best option for some tasks but not others — it is up to you to make the judgement of what approach will benefit you the most.
Integrating technology in the classroom can be hugely beneficial, but it must be done with purpose and strategy. By emulating the daily activities of a traditional classroom and implementing the SAMR model, Scrudu facilitates technology integration for educators across the world. For more information, get in touch today and find out how we can enhance your classroom.
