SAMR

The SAMR method is a model that directs teacher into implementing and using technology in their classrooms effectively. It is a model that teachers can use to select, use and evaluate technology that they will use in their classroom, assignments and tasks.

The letters in the name of this model stand for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition.

• Substitution means that technology will act as a direct tool and substitute the typical way of doing the task. For example, students might be asked to write an essay, but instead of using the typical paper and pencil, they might be using a computer to type it.
• Augmentation is when technology acts as a direct tool again, but making some functional improvements. For example, students can take test and quizzes using Google Forms, receive their scores instead of using the typical paper and pencil.
• Modification is when technology allows significant tasks to be redesigned. For example, students can use Google Docs. to type a group project, share it and make comments on each others ideas. 
• Redefinition is when technology allows the creation if new tasks that were at some point in time were unimaginable. For example, student in different parts of the world can work on a topic, and use the technology to communicate, share ideas, receive feedback and analyze their work.

This model can be used in all classrooms no matter the age groups.Teachers can use this model during their planning, reflecting and any time a new software or hardware is purchased for their classrooms.
The most important thing to consider is that if technology is going to be used, it has to be used appropriately. When used in an appropriate manner, it will maximize students' success due to their involvement in their tasks and assignments. As teachers, that is what many of us want, successful students.

Pinterest

Out of the three sources that were offered to follow web sites I decided to use Pinterest. I created an account a while ago due to the suggestion of a coworker, but I had never used it. I was told it was a great way to find ideas for classroom activities that would be helpful to include in our classroom.  I was not aware on how to use it, how it worked or what it offered. 

After last week's class, I decided to start using it. I got the hang of it once the professor showed us how it worked. I have to admit I like it. This web site is easy to use, easy to search, and easy to share.

I will continue using it, just like many teachers at job do, to find play-based activities to implement in our classroom.

For this assignment, I made a board that contains activities that I am interested in doing with my preschoolers at work. The activities are pinned are all hands on, and play based!

Pinterest Board

Web Site Evaluation

Everyone I know, including myself, has a habit of finding out the answers to their questions on the Internet. We simply grab an electronic device connected to the internet and type in a question or key word to the question, click the “search” button, and boom, we have an answer.

We are all guilty of doing this, but how effective are the answer we get?

A child under the age of eighteen will probably believe anything they read on the Internet. In order for that not to happen, we have to teach them a variety of techniques to define whether or not a source is reliable.

When I look for information online, I use a set of questions to evaluate my information. The questions are as follow:

Who? – When reading an article, I look for an author. Is the author an expert? Does he have educational knowledge in the topic? How credible can his word be?

What? - What kinds of information is it giving? Is it fact, an opinion, advertising? What is the message given to the audience reading the article?

Where? - Where was the information found?

When? - When was the information released? Does the article have a date of the times it has been revised?

All sorts of questions that can be answered by looking at the website, and their content can be helpful to determine whether the information is reliable or not. If for any reason you feel like the information you are looking for is not on the internet, there are many other sources you can use. There are plenty of libraries with books, magazines, encyclopedias and people who work there who help you find reliable sources.

Hello!

My name is Gabriela, but everyone calls me Gaby. I was born in Mexico City, but at the age of 5, my family and I moved to Chicago. I went to Carl Schurz High School, here in Chicago. I went to Truman College, in Chicago as well, right after high school graduation. My first year, I took a variety of courses, due to the fact that I did not know what field I wanted to study. By the end of 2010, I decided to go into the Early Childhood Education field. I graduated with my Associates in June 2012.  I worked for four months at a private day-care while I finished my Associates, but left because that job was not what I expected. I then started working as a floater/sub-teacher at Erie Neighborhood House, in the Child Care Program, and loved it! I am now, still at Erie, as a Teacher Assistant, working in a Head Start Classroom with children ages 2 through 5. I want to be a kindergarten or prekindergarten Lead Teacher because I love children. I love the potential they have at a very young age, and enjoy teaching them skills they will use in the future such as counting, letter recognition, and writing their names.
I have no educational technology experience, since I work in a play-based program, and all we use are educational toys. In this class, I hope to learn a variety of ways to introduce technology to my students since they are growing up in a world that relies a lot on technology. Most of my students have been exposed to the use of a computer (which is in out classroom), smart phones, and tables, so why not learn a way to introduce them to an educational way of using them.