Kim and I sometimes hear from teachers, "Why should I use technology? How is what you're asking me to do different from using paper and pencil?" Often when I hear this comment, I'm thinking, this teacher is absolutely right - what I'm asking you to do right now isn't different from using paper and pencil but what you may not know is this: my hope is to start you on a journey. On this journey, I'm hoping that these beginnings are going to spark something in you and your students, something that, in time, will ultimately completely transform your classroom.
Those of you who have embraced the beginning of the journey have seen what I mean. It is amazing what happens when you open yourself up just a little to what the possibilities hold. I've heard your stories. I've seen the changes. And I've also seen something else: those of you who have started this journey, who have really embraced it, have no intention of ending it. In fact, you want more! You want to expand the possibilities. Instead of simply using the technology to replace those paper and pencil activities like you have been, you want to use it in transformative ways.
Everyone is at a different point of this journey. Some of you are just beginning. Some of you are in so deep and are basking in the results you've seen. And some of you aren't there yet. No matter where you are on this journey, we are here to help you.
So where are you on this journey? How do you get to the next level? Below I've got a couple of helpful resources for you to use. Pick a lesson, any lesson, and use just one of these resources to analyze what it is your students are doing in your classroom. Some questions to ask yourself:
Despite what you find as you analyze your lesson, no matter what level you are at, I can assure this: it is incredible what happens with the smallest addition of these tools in your classroom, even if it is simply a substitution. I have no idea why the exact same activity holds their attention so much more, it just does. I often laugh at how crazy this seems but that is what happens. Don't believe me? Ask your peers. I promise it's true.
Resources:
SAMR Model: Technology is Learning
SAMR Model Flow Chart
SAMR Model Explained to Teachers
Those of you who have embraced the beginning of the journey have seen what I mean. It is amazing what happens when you open yourself up just a little to what the possibilities hold. I've heard your stories. I've seen the changes. And I've also seen something else: those of you who have started this journey, who have really embraced it, have no intention of ending it. In fact, you want more! You want to expand the possibilities. Instead of simply using the technology to replace those paper and pencil activities like you have been, you want to use it in transformative ways.
Everyone is at a different point of this journey. Some of you are just beginning. Some of you are in so deep and are basking in the results you've seen. And some of you aren't there yet. No matter where you are on this journey, we are here to help you.
So where are you on this journey? How do you get to the next level? Below I've got a couple of helpful resources for you to use. Pick a lesson, any lesson, and use just one of these resources to analyze what it is your students are doing in your classroom. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Are students using the technology to do the exact same task that they did with paper and pencil?
- Are students doing something with the technology that offers some kind of benefit to you and them (quicker feedback, for example)?
- Has the learning task been significantly redesigned to maximize the use of the tool?
- Are you and your students doing things that were previously unimaginable?
Despite what you find as you analyze your lesson, no matter what level you are at, I can assure this: it is incredible what happens with the smallest addition of these tools in your classroom, even if it is simply a substitution. I have no idea why the exact same activity holds their attention so much more, it just does. I often laugh at how crazy this seems but that is what happens. Don't believe me? Ask your peers. I promise it's true.
Resources:
SAMR Model: Technology is Learning
SAMR Model Flow Chart
SAMR Model Explained to Teachers