SAMR

"Teaching above the line" in regards to SAMR means using technology to transform the learning and not just enhance it. Although the sections below the line, substitution and augmentation, are important, we want to be creating lessons for modification and redefinition. It is essential that teachers are using technology in the most beneficial way.

I do believe SAMR is a good technology to use when talking to teachers about technology. However, for teachers who do not have a lot of experience with technology, SAMR may not be clear enough and may be a little confusing. In SAMR there are a lot of things that can overlap. With new technology teachers, it may be more clear to have the integration set out. On the other hand, it is nice that some of the topics overlap because that allows for flexibility. For example, one teacher may use a powerpoint for substitution, but for another teacher a powerpoint may be modification. I believe it all depends on the experience of the teacher using it. This is similar to the grounded integration approach because the learning goal is defined first and then the technology is used. With SAMR, the reason for using it, or the outcome, is defined first, then the technology is chosen after.

I evaluated the Arizona model. Like SAMR, the Arizona model had different domains to classify the technology, but I believe Arizona and SAMR are very different. SAMR leaves a lot of room for flexibility and some overlap, but in the Arizona model, it is very clear how and where the technology is used. Personally, I can see myself using the Arizona model more because it is more clear cut. Although I do like flexibility, the Arizona model is easier for me to follow and I also like that the matrix gives clear examples and definitions of how that technology is used in that domain.

Both of these models link back to TPACK. SAMR and Arizona use the content being taught and linking it with how the technology is being used. The pedagogy comes in when we talk about how we are using the technology to teach the content. Therefor, all aspects of TPACK are being represented and these models help the teacher incorporate all of them in the most beneficial way.