TPACK vs SAMR: One Idea at a Time

In the process of becoming a Science and English/Language Arts/Reading Middle Level Educator, I have been learning about educational technology and the ways it can enhance my lesson plans in the future. Educational technology is used to improve a student's learning with tools such as web 2.0. To understand this term further, we use two frameworks as the basis of educational technology, starting with TPACK.

TPACK is an acronym for Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The idea was first introduced as PCK by Shulman. This idea was then expanded by Mishra and Koehler creating TPACK. TPACK combines three knowledge areas that educators need in order to teach their students successfully. The "T" in TPACK is for technological knowledge. Technological knowledge is having information on the electronics used to teach in a particular subject field, such as knowing how to use a SMARTBoard or Promethean Board in a math class. Next, the "P" and "A" represent Pedagogical knowledge. Pedagogical knowledge is the methods used by teachers to teach the material, whether it's group work, direct instruction, or silent work. The "C" and "K" suggest Content Knowledge. Content knowledge is knowing the facts about your field. For example, I should have more knowledge in my concentration areas of Science and English/Language Arts/Reading so I can give further explanations to students with questions on the material. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) supports the TPACK framework for learning in today's society. Pictured below are more examples as to how to use TPACK in the classroom.

With TPACK influencing more classrooms, the idea of SAMR is being used as a strategic teaching method too. SAMR is the second framework of educational technology and symbolizes Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. This framework was created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Dr. Puentedura's model starts with the idea of substitution.

Substitution can be described as technology acting as a direct tool substitute with no functional change, meaning students will complete the same task with a different tool. The next step is augmentation. Augmentation is technology acting as a direct tool substitute with functional improvement. This idea can be compared to substitution because new technology is used, but there are also more functionalities involved with augmentation. Substitution and augmentation improve learning in the classroom by enhancing a lesson. After augmentation, the idea of modification is introduced. Modification is technology allowing for significant task redesign. This allows new tasks to be done in the classroom using new technology. The final step in SAMR is redefinition. Redefinition is formed by technology allowing for the creation of new tasks being previously inconceivable. This creates a new focus on approaching new tasks in the classroom and includes more student involvement. Modification and redefinition show transformation in a student's education as the students are learning how to use methods they have never used before. Examples of SAMR in the classroom can be seen in the photo below.

Now that you have background information on both ideologies of educational technology, do you think one is better than the other?

SAMR and TPACK are similar because they were created with a goal of obtaining technology involvement in learning. The quality of teaching is further improved through these new tools. However, while comparing SAMR and TPACK, I have found differences along the way. SAMR seems to be more of a difficult concept as it includes specific levels of one's growth using technology. Teachers that use SAMR worry that it focuses more on the technology instead of teaching practices. TPACK suggests how a teacher can be successful using three areas of knowledge. Teachers are more welcoming of this idea because it is a reminder of how to remain a balanced educator. With that being said, teachers are still trying to determine which method is more effective for their classroom.

SOURCES:

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/10/this-is-how-to-use-tpack-model-to.html

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/06/samr-model-explained-for-teachers.html

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2015/02/an-introduction-to-tpack-for-teachers/

http://www.schrockguide.net/samr.html

http://www.edtechcoaching.org/2013/11/ed-tech-frameworks-why-i-dont-use-tpack.html

Images obtained from Google Images