8 Examples of Transforming Lessons through the SAMR Cycle

Kinsella, Jason

(ET) Educational Theory and Practice

Walsh, K. (2015). 8 examples of transforming lessons through the SAMR cycle. EmergingEdTech. Retrieved from https://www.emergingedtech.com/2015/04/examples-of-transforming-lessons-through-samr/

Educational theory can seem abstract. In order to implement innovative ideas in the classroom, it is important to provide educators with concrete examples showing what a theory looks like in practice. This article does just that. It explains what the SAMR model is and isn’t, and provides eight concrete examples showing what an assignment would look like at each stage of the SAMR model: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition. The SAMR model examples include writing a short paper, geography and travel, understanding Shakespeare, assessments, art and painting, email etiquette, learning fractions and  physical education–learning to hit a baseball well.

This is a helpful introduction to the concept of blended learning and the SAMR model. It provides content that teachers can take right back to their classrooms tomorrow. The practical focus on implementation will be useful to anyone who is looking to further integrate technology into their classroom.

SAMR – 8 Cool Tools You May Have Missed at ISTE 2017

MaryLee Helm


Common Sense Media. (2017). 8 Cool Tools You May Have Missed at ISTE 2017. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/8-cool-tools-you-may-have-missed-at-iste-2017?utm_source=Edu_Newsletter_2017_07_04&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly

The tools shared in this article move the learner on the SAMR model to Redefinition as they allow for learning to be student-centered and tasks to be completed in new ways. Students get to think outside of the box and have a tool in which to share their learning with others.

I was not able to attend the conference, but am always looking for emerging technologies that can be utilized in the library. This article offers a list of programs to start “playing” and possibly, introduce in a co-teaching lesson or through a genius hour period.

How 5 Inspiring Tablet Classrooms Are Changing Edcuation

Megan Westcoat
Noonoo, S. (2014). How 5 Inspiring Tablet Classrooms Are Changing Education. THE Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), 41(7), 11.


                                    As much as I appreciate research and theory, articles that give examples of how something is being done inspires me.  I may take something mentioned and do it exactly as described using my own curriculum, or I might take something and tweak it (either the next time or right off the bat).  The idea being that specific ideas give way to greater thinking not more narrow thinking, even though we are often groomed to believe to seeing another’s ideas leads to “copying.”  In any case, this article highlights the work of various instructors and how they are using tablets in their classrooms.   Readers are introduced to a high-school history teacher, a middle school special ed teacher, a 2nd grade teacher who works with ELL students, and multiple upper level science and math instructors.  In each case they expounded on the ways they are using tablets in the classroom and the benefits of doing so.  The overwhelming theme being that they don’t use the iPads to do things in new ways, but rather, “. . .to do new things in ways not possible before going 1-to1.”
21rst century literacies and instruction are somethings I wanted to focus on in my reading plan.  While nowhere in the article does it specifically mention the SAMR model, they present gleaming examples of it.  I particularly liked that the article include the voices and experiences of teacher who are involved in special education and instruction of ELL students. Often those learning groups are forgotten or only included in topic-specific articles.  Furthermore, one high school instructor discusses using tablets to flip his classroom, which in turn allowed him to better know his students.  I think that idea is incredibly powerfully, especially as an instructor of older grades.  In middle or high school teachers are more likely to see upwards of 100 students or more in a day, decreasing the level of personalized instruction feasible.  However, these teachers have found that technology has increased the amount of feedback they can give students and the amount they are able to know about each individual.   

SAMR – taking it to the next level

Lauren Peters

IL – 21st Century Skills
SAMR Model
SAMR stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. It is all about using technology while teaching.  The goal is to use technology to enhance the learning process.  Redefinition is the goal, so I will include it here.
Redefintion:  Computer technology allows for new tasks that were previously inconceivable. 

Reuben R. Puentedura  takes it to a new level:

SAMR Model of Technology by Reuben R. Puentedura