OTAN News

On the Way to Integrating Technology

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Devices for teachers and students, educational software, and apps are a starting point for integrating technology into your instruction, but how do you know if you are integrating technology in a deep and meaningful way?

In his article 10 signs that you may be missing opportunities with your school’s technology integration, Scott McLeod provides some guidance on when you’re using technology at a low level and how to rethink your technology usage to move it to a higher level. A popular model for technology integration is the SAMR Model – Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition - and one way to think of the opportunities McLeod mentions is elevating your use of technology to move from Substitution and Augmentation (lower levels) to Modification and Redefinition (higher levels). So, looking at some of McLeod’s missed opportunities and thinking about a higher level of technology integration:

• Your LMS (Learning Management System, like Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, and Schoology) is primarily used as a document management system – The opportunity is to move from a static website (storing files, videos, links) to a dynamic LMS especially incorporating more interactive features, such as discussion boards and group online projects.

• Lots of Kahoots (or any number of software programs or apps) but not much student creation – Is the teacher the only person creating these activities only for student consumption? Are the students given the opportunity to create with these same tools to demonstrate and take ownership of their learning?

• Digital worksheets greatly outnumber student multimedia products – Digital worksheets are perhaps the most ubiquitous example of SAMR’s Substitution. When are students given the chance to build their own products with digital tools, even if you aren’t necessarily familiar with them?

• Silent work alone on "personalized,” adaptive learning software modules (for example, software programs loaded onto lab computers or web-based, off-the-shelf software) is a dominant modality for students – Learning is a dynamic process, and just because learning has been personalized for a student or group of students, it doesn’t mean that it has to be done in isolation, constantly in front of a computer screen.

• Technology professional development sessions are sparsely (or reluctantly) attended – Time and money may be factors in deciding whether to attend PD workshops, but don’t let your own issues with technology get in the way of training yourself for the benefit of your students. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! They need the digital skills training as much as you do!

OTAN is always ready, willing, and able to provide training to help you and your colleagues up your technology integration game! Please contact us for training on a variety of tools and tech topics – email us at support@otan.us or call us at 916-228-2580 for more information.

Article: 10 signs that you may be missing opportunities with your school’s technology integration by Scott McLeod at Dangerously Irrelevant

Article: SAMR at Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything