Week 8 Reflection – Theories and Models

Our Week 8 class started with short presentations from each POD group about what topic they selected for the POD Project, why is it of interest to them, as well as some of their initial findings. These presentations were designed to be a checkpoint for the larger POD research assignment. I found the presentations to be very engaging, and even though they were only introductory presentations, I still learnt a lot from them.

After the presentations we switched gears and learnt about TPACK, SAMR, TIMS, and Community of Inquiry.

The TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) model helps teachers consider how their knowledge domains intersect in order to effectively teach and engage students with technology.

Our class focused on the SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) model which helps teachers evaluate how they are incorporating technology into their instructional practice. We watched a video about how this model can be used to modify an activity where students have to create their own story.

We then did a similar activity (on Padlet) where we had to explore how the SAMR model can be used to transform learning tasks using technology in meaningful ways by taking an assignment where students have to research an animal and write a one‑page report including information about their habitat and diet, and modify it using each aspect of the SAMR model. Although it was pretty easy to come up with a way tech could be used for this assignment without there being a functional change, a way tech could be used to redesign this assignment, and a way tech could be used to redefine this assignment, I found it difficult to come up with a way tech could be used to improve this assignment, because I find it easier to come up with ways tech can be used to change an aspect of an assignment rather than simply improve it. I thought that this was an interesting model because rather than replacing pen and paper with a keyboard simply because technology is such a prominent part of modern education, it causes teachers to really think about whether or not doing this would actually elevate their lessons.

TIMS (Technology Integration Matrix) provides a framework for describing and targeting the use of technology to enhance learning. 

Community of Inquiry is a framework that represents a process of creating a deep and meaningful learning experience through the development of social, cognitive, and teaching presence.

Overall I found it very useful to learn about the various sets of guidelines there are around how to use technology in your classroom, especially as someone who’s going to be entering into a very technological education system!