General Background of SAMR

What is SAMR and what is it used for?

SAMR is a four-part model to help teachers integrate technology in their classroom in a meaningful and effective manner. This model provides a framework for “selecting, using, and evaluating technology in education” (“Ruben R. Puentedura,” n.d.).

SAMR is made up of four tiers of technology integration in a “ladder” structure, with each rung providing progressively higher levels of student achievement, as demonstrated in Figure 1 . The first two levels of Substitution and Augmentation are modes to enhance the student learning experience while the next two levels of Modification and Redefinition are transformative in nature, allowing for increased student engagement, interaction, agency, and peer mentorship (Common Sense Education, 2016).

Transformation

Redefinition
Tech allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable
Modification
Tech allows for significant task redesign

Enhancement

Augementation
Tech acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement
Substitution
Tech acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change

Figure 1. The SAMR Model as created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura (2015).

Who created SAMR?

SAMR was created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura. During the mid 1980s, Puentedura was working on reforming the undergraduate science curriculum at Harvard and began questioning the often-heard notion that using a particular technological tool in itself would provide improved student results. This led him to develop experiments in integrating technology in education, drawing from data collected from businesses that were incorporating technology with marked success. In 2002, this research culminated in the current version of SAMR and was quickly embraced by many educators (Boll, Carter, & Willett, 2015).

Currently, Puentedura is the President and founding member of Hippasus- an educational consulting firm that continuously researches educational technologies and provides resources and expert advice to educators and institutions. Puentedura continues to post blog articles with links to slides from presentations he gives around the world as well as new research and reports from his findings at http://hippasus.com.

Why use SAMR?

Many school districts and educational institutions have adopted SAMR when looking for models on which to base their technology integration goals. One benefit to using SAMR is that it works with any discipline and unit of study, providing a common language for educators to talk about and relating technology use to the learning process and student outcomes (Common Sense Education, 2016).

The purpose of SAMR is parallel to the purpose of education in general: maximizing student understanding and achievement. What SAMR provides is a means for navigating the often overwhelming amount of technological tools afforded to educators. It also looks to keep the focus on what students are able to construct with the knowledge they attain supported by their experiences with technology. Through the hierarchical design of SAMR, an educator can begin scaffolding effective and authentic learning experiences for students rather than just throwing in technology for the sole purpose of including technology. Puentedura suggests an educator beginning to explore SAMR take time experimenting at the Substitution and Augmentation levels to become comfortable with technology in the classroom and enhance their current practice before building up to the transformative Modification and Redefinition areas of integration (OETC 2014).

References

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