Mayonnaise SAMR

The SAMR Model, developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, provides a technique for moving through a spectrum of technology integration to find more meaningful uses of technology in teaching and move away from simply using “tech for tech’s sake”. Susan Oxnevad referred to this movement across the SAMR spectrum as "teaching above the line."

So it is important to not lead teachers into thinking that the SAMR Model is a cliff to scramble up to the top. In reality it is a digital toolbox packed full of tools and strategies for the task integration of technology into teaching and learning.

Any training I do is based on this toolbox to help teachers improve their use of technology to engage and empower student learning in authentic learning opportunities. What better way to work through this process than to use the SAMR model to reflect on how student's learning can be enhanced and transformed through the use of technology.

Some examples come to mind:

• Students replacing handwritten work by using a Google Doc will need to develop their word processing skills but why stop at Substitution?

• Students can be encouraged to Augment their work by adding images, tables and embedding hyperlinks to other material into their Google Doc.

• Student writing undergoes a transformation at this Modification point where their ideas could be published for a wider audience either in their own blog or in blogs managed by their teacher.

• To Redefine the learning process the teacher needs to think of learning activities that were previously inconceivable without the use of technological skills such as creating meaningful text, collaborating with others and exercising digital citizenship. A prime example would be to create a Twitter account (managed by the teacher) to share the learning journey with other students.

Firstly, I actually do make mayonnaise (below) and had just made our first summer batch this morning. I managed to source some black garlic at the markets and made a top class aioli.

Think of the difference between topping your salad with plain mayonnaise (Enhancement) or creating an entirely new and tasty home-made mayonnaise packed full of local fresh ingredients (Transformation).

Secondly Guy's mayo-making analogy to give "slow and timely professional learning" in developing skills in technology gave me food-for-thought to support teachers to "whisk [new technologies] into their daily teaching practice"

This is so important for teachers to remember to go slow and develop deep skills when integrating technology into their teaching practice.