The SAMR Model, a Self-Evaluation

Technology has become an integral part of education and instruction at all grade levels. Certainly, students do not go a day without using some sort of technology to complete an assignment. Educators have their individual opinions on technology in the classroom, but there is little room to argue that there is no place for it. Most, if not all, undergraduate and graduate programs use a learning management system to distribute the syllabus, assignments, and course announcements. Technology is fully integrated into education, but the extent of that integration is fully dependent on the instructor. How do instructors decide when to incorporate technology into their lessons? How are they using it to best serve their students? 

The SAMR Model 

The SAMR Model presents a framework for teachers to evaluate their use of technology in the classroom. SAMR stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition which are further categorized with the first two considered Enhancement and the latter two Transformative. SAMR, a framework developed by Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura, helps provide a framework for thinking about incorporating technology into existing lessons while encouraging and inspiring new ways of teaching through technology. SAMR should be viewed as a spectrum of technological integration in the classroom and the model acknowledges that some teaching is best done simply while simultaneously encouraging innovation in classroom tasks that could be more engaging and valuable to the student with technology added.

Image source: Edutopia, Creative Commons

Substitution – Technology does not change the lesson plan it is simply substituted for the original alternative 

Augmentation – Similar to substitution but the technology does have a specific reason for being there besides convenience 

Modification – Technology alters the original task significantly  

Redefinition – Technology completely changes the original task, it is entirely new 

Self-Evaluation 

As a Graduate Reference Assistant at Dominican’s Rebecca Crown Library, I am expected to do some level of instruction should the patron inquiry require it. I would not call myself a teacher but librarianship in any position will involve some level of instruction. Most libraries are underfunded so you end up doing multiple jobs under one position; it's a team effort, and sometimes the shy technical services librarian must work at the reference desk to help students with research and finding books. As a reference assistant, I cover the reference desk with back-up from supervisors and the Access and Reference Librarian who handles more in-depth inquiries. Additionally, librarianship and the information profession, to me, is about helping patrons learn how to access information they seek. So, no matter what type of role I end up working, some teaching will be required.  

In my current position I use technology to show and explain to students how to use the catalog to access what they need for their studies. My double monitor set-up allows me to walk through catalog searching with the student watching and ideally following along. I also monitor the chat reference during my shifts and assist students and community members virtually. This is the extent of my teaching with technology. I would place myself on the enhancement levels, either Substitution or Augmentation because I am not really creating or assigning tasks but rather using technology to facilitate the learning process. I think having a monitor reference set-up that swivels for student observation was probably a huge redefinition of reference work when it was first implemented. The reference work I do does not require me to reinvent the wheel or include unnecessary information or technology. It sits comfortably in the enhancement levels of the SAMR model and is an effective tool for students to use when they need basic research help.

I am excited to better understand how to incorporate different technologies into library reference work and other instruction opportunities that may come my way. As I continue this journey into education and technology I look forward to adding to this blog and tracking my growth as an information professional and, in some capacity, educator.