Technology as a Tool for Teaching and Learning
Windermere Prep believes that the seamless integration of technology into our daily
instructional practices is a way to actualize our instructional and curricular point of view. We embrace the integration of technology in our classrooms for the purpose promoting high levels of learning and in the process, transforming instructional tasks in ways that were never before possible. The fundamental purpose of this transformation is the activation of skills like critical thinking, discovery, innovation, problem solving, communication, and collaboration.
We utilize the SAMR model as a lens for identifying and discussing effective integration in this context. The SAMR acronym represents a four level model of technology integration in our classrooms:
Substitution: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change in instruction.
Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement in instruction.
Modification: Technology allows for significant task redesign.
Redefinition: Technology allows for creation of new tasks that were previously inconceivable.