What is SAMR?

    

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       A few days ago, I was able to listen to a recorded webinar presented by Susan Oxnevad  and facilitated by Nicole Zumpano. 

Susan Oxnevad is an instructional technology facilitator, edtech consultant, blogger and webinar host who is passionate about discovering and sharing innovative ways to use tech as an efficient and effective tool for learning. 

      The presentation was about (SAMR) Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition; a Model that offers a way for teachers to integrate technology in to the classroom, represented by a ladder-like graph displaying four levels of progression. 

http://thinglinktoolkit.wikispaces.com/SAMR+Ladder

      Enhancement - 

       Substitution tech acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change. At this level, computer technology is used to perform the same task as was done before the use of computer. There is no change in teaching or learning. An example would be to use Google docs to replace paper and ink.

       Augmentation tech acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement. Using the Google docs example, the task is still mentally the same but some features might be performed: spelling, copy, and auto sharing in the cloud. The students might become more engaged in learning.

      According to the Samr Model, teachers who  implement technology on one of the above levels, they are teaching "below the line" level.

Transformation 

       Modification is the step over the line between enhancing the traditional goings-on of the classroom and transforming it. Classrooms tasks are being accomplished through the use of computer technology. It involves giving students a different kind of task. For example, using multimedia and adding a video. 

       Redefinition  Technology allows for creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable and gives students a stage. Technology used in this way leads to the transformation of classroom and student workflows and the technology is used in its most effective form: creating a digital storybook to share with students across the classroom, school, or the world,  creating a professional quality video, etc.

Wikispaces - 

       Wikispaces are one of the tools mentioned by Susan. I think they are great tools that calls for collaboration, critical thinking, imagination, language, evaluating other's work, problem solving, and learning from one another, among others. 

Wikis provide three options that are unlike most composing software and

that offer interesting possiblities for learning and teaching. First, wikis a1low

people to edit someone else's work. Second, they retain previous versions that

writers can revert to. Third, they keep track of everyone's individual entries

and edits.

     

Reflection - 

Although I watched this webinar a day later, I think the presentation was clear and easy to follow, even for people who might not be familiar with technological terms. I was able to read the questions participants had and the answers and information Susan provided. Nicole was a great facilitator who made the webinar to run smooth. I would like to be able to join a live webinar so I can actively participate in the chatting. After all the information I gained, my goal is to move forward to the next step of the ladder!!!!!!!

                                               

Technology in Education Report

Pew Research Center.

My seven-year-old son had been asking for an iphone     

 for his birthday. What do you want an iphone          
 for,?" "You are too young for that; you don't need one,"


http://www.climbingframes.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1082-460-Technology.jpg

 my husband and I answered. He said most of his

 friends had their own lap top, iphone, ipad, or an ipod.
 It took him a long time and effort convincing us       
to get one.

          During another incident a couple of years ago, I thought it was a little rude when I saw a young man texting during a church sermon. "It must be something really important for him to do it," I thought. I had never seen him talking to others, or texting or answering his cell phone during church time.
Later, I found out he had downloaded the bible application. 
         Now days, the use of technology has become a need for many people. People all over the world rely in some kind of technology for a variety of reasons: for socializing, planning business meetings, making reports, or educational purposes, among others. Many researchers have been conducted to evaluate and examine how effectively to implement technology in different areas of today's society.
         The Pew Internet & American Life Project is one of seven projects that make up the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Project produces reports exploring the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.
          According to a research conducted by Pew Research Center in 2013:

•  78% of teens now have a cell phone, and almost half (47%) of them own smartphones.  
•  23 % of teens have a tablet computer,
•  95 % of teens use the internet.

         Preschoolers is another age group that keeps up with technology. My preschoolers' show and tell sometimes are very expensive devices they handle better then I.
         Personally, I had fallen behind in the use of technology for personal use. However,  communication with my children's parents is mostly via e-mail and assignments researches have been easier for me thanks to technology!!
          The report also concluded that more than four in ten teachers report the use of e-readers and tablets in their classrooms or to complete assignments. I think this is wonderful for students who are given the opportunity to have access to technology in school. However, the main reason the majority of school that have not implemented some kind of technology in their facilities is the lack of funds. Hopefully, in a near future, all schools will benefit from all this amazing and useful technology!!!!!!

http://www.pewinternet.org/About-Us/Our-Mission.aspx

      


       

 

A new country and a new life.

I am Maria Garcia. At the age of 17, my husband and I decided to come to this country in search of a better life for us and our eight-month-old baby son named David. Because our goal was to save some money and return to our country, I did not start attending school until after 8 years. One day, I realized my dreams of becoming a teacher could come true but it would take much more effort since I did not speak or write English. The long journey began when I started taking English as a second language; then, when I got my GED, I enrolled in a community college where I had to take some English classes that helped with writing, speaking, and comprehending the language.

This is my son David

It took a long time to earn an AA in ECE. My friends and family look puzzled when they heard I was still attending college and teaching a preschool class. My now twenty-eight-year-old son encourages me to continue with my education and sees in me a role model who, like any of us in this class, has worked very hard to be where I am right now. Thank God I am only six classes away from earning a BA but it feels that day will never come.

My husband and Me.

Concerning technology, I started falling behind in the use of
 ipods, ipads, smart phones, etc. When I found out I was taking a
 technology class, I felt somehow stressed out thinking about how
advanced technology is nowdays and how little I know about it.
However, I am amazed at what I have learned so far and I am
willingto learn as much as I can about this fascinating
technological field.