Matching technology
with teachers to improve
and accelerate learning
Unleashing the
benefits of teaching
and learning using
technology requires
growth of technology
availability in the
classroom and
growth in how those
technologies are used.
How is learning measured?
Where does learning occur? What are the
tools of learning? These are profound ques-
tions that permeate tacitly in teachers’ heads
throughout the day. The former questions
are philosophical. However, the later ques-
tion is the one that can be explicitly mea-
sured and observed in schools. Teachers
have the ability in the 21st century to adjust,
modify, and incorporate digital tools that
will encourage and manipulate students’
learning environments. Through the use of
the digital tools technology provides, teach-
ers can incorporate high leverage practices
that can result in learning for their students
that can benefit them for a lifetime.
Connecting technology adop-
tion to novel thinking and creative
approaches: The SAMR Model
Along with the advances in technology,
our understanding of learning using tech-
nology should also expand. The synchronic-
ity of technology and educator development
can create high leverage practices that im-
prove learning. There is a model for describ-
ing how technology integration with educa-
tion can produce high leverage results. It can
be found in the Substitution, Augmenta-
tion, Modification Redefinition Model.
The SAMR model, developed by Dr.
Ruben Puentedura, offers a method of see-
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Leadership
ing how technology might impact teaching
and learning. The SAMR model illustrates
a progression of pedagogical practices that
adopters of educational technology can use
as a guide to monitor progress in teaching
and learning with technology. The levels of
student engagement and interactions with
technology progresses through the SAMR
model and can generate authentic learn-
ing. The tools of technology already exist; it
is the ways to implement and access those
tools that require novel thinking and cre-
ative approaches. Classroom technology can
become interwoven with effective teaching
and learning practices to create the high le-
verage practices that are a requirement for
21st century learning.
Using technology effectively
This 21st century has spawned many in-
novations in learning and teaching tools.
There are more affordable and capable tablets
and laptops, Learning Management Systems
and software apps for smart phones to name
a few. The economics of mass production has
contributed to the ability for schools to make
technology readily available to students and
teachers. In June 1977, about 40 plus years
ago, the classic Apple II desktop computer
By Thomas Tan, Ed.D., Joseph
Calmer, Ed.D. and Ricardo Recinos