Technology: It's not what you do, it's how you do

Technology is one big constant in our lives. There is constant development, constant updates, and constant new tools and toys. Recently, I was listening to John Mason’s Podcast, Beard Ed (click here to find it on iTunes), and he brings up an excellent point--many of us have Nerd ADD, where we can’t focus on a technology tool long enough to really get good at it and implement it into our teaching. I readily admit that I suffer from Nerd ADD, and as I’m trying to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest, I miss the bigger picture: technology is not what you do/use, it’s how you do/use.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6081/6066810912_569c162cd1_b.jpg

There are so many great images, such as the one below, that show apps and tools for each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy or the SAMR model. These are an excellent starting point, but should not be relied on for an in-depth understanding of technology and classroom application of iPads. For example, when I took an online Spanish class through a local community college, we were required to meet with partners on Skype to practice the textbook lessons. Based on Bloom’s I used this tool for remembering, understanding, and applying, not evaluating. Additionally, Pages can easily be used for all levels of Bloom’s, not just understanding. With each and every one of these tools, it’s all about how it is integrated and implemented into the classroom.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/TPACK_pt-BR.png

Another great visual is the TPACK model, which combines Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Content Knowledge (CK), and Technological Knowledge (TK) in a triple Venn Diagram. Ideally, we would like to be in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) as much as possible, as it combines everything and gives students a lense into the greater world beyond the four walls of the classroom.

With SAMR, we can quickly move up and down the levels simply by how we use the technology we have. Not only do we want to move toward augmentation, modification, and redefinition, but also we want to teach students to take ownership of their learning while moving higher up the levels themselves. Starting with an easy tool, such as Google Docs, a beginner can start by using Google Docs to type up an essay or assignment. Once you are comfortable with this, try inserting images into the document to bring yourself up to augmentation; it is easy to upload images directly from the internet or from saved images on your computer or iPad. A great thing about Google Docs is the ability for students to collaborate with others within their classroom by being on the same document and working together in real-time. Finally, to move this Google Doc into redefinition would be to collaborate with professionals or other students outside the classroom. This can include writing text together, suggesting comments and edits, and sharing work with others.

Created by Marielle Venturino & MVA VIking Tech [CC BY-NC]

So go and give some technology a try! You’ll find that once you pick one tool to start with, you can (usually) stay with the same tool for all levels of SAMR.