An acronym, which is important for all educators, is SAMR.  But what does it mean and what implications does it have for classroom practise?

SAMR stands for: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition.  It basically details all the ways technology can impact or not on learning.

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SAMR

• Substitution

This is when teachers or pupils are using tech tools but in no different way to old ones.  For instance, using Google Slides instead of Microsoft PowerPoint.  The end product is the same.

• Augmentation

This is pretty much the same as substitution but using just a few other features.  So it would be like using Google Slides and only using the sharing feature.

• Modification

Modification is where tech is being used in a way that transforms a task.  So by setting a task using Google Slides, students may work on the same document collaboratively and the teacher comments on their work to support them.

• Redefinition

This is where the technology has in fact created entirely new tasks that wouldn’t be possible with older technology.  Doing a Mystery Skype would be an example of this (click here to see my tutorial on how to do this).

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Finally, here is a great graphic, created by Jonathan Brubaker:

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Are you doing mostly S, A, M or R?  Let me know by commenting below.