This year our school district is implementing the elementary Digitial Learning Initative, which specifically means that all 2nd-5th grade students will go 1:1 with a Chromebook and 1st-kindergarten students will go 1:2 with iPads. As a kindergarten teacher, I'm ecstatic about this, and all the opportunities these devices will bring. However, at the same time I'm incredibly nervous about what this implementation will look like within my classroom.
Our district has adopted the SAMR model, and encouraged teachers during this 2017-2018 school year to focus on Substituting and Augmenting using the iPads. While I easily understand these two levels of the SAMR model, I must confess the Augmentation and Modification stages seem very similar, and the Redefinition phase seems very vague.
This week's module introduced the RAT model, which makes entirely more sense to me both a teacher, and as a student. The short, easy to follow acronym RAT stands for Replacement, Amplification, and Transformation. According to Anna Weisspol, the "...RAT seems to be a simpler and even more practical version of the SAMR model, a less complicated way..." to integrate technology into the classroom. Weisspol continues in saying that "compared to the SAMR model, it avoids the ambiguity connected with the difference between the second and third level; here the two levels are put together into one AMPLIFICATION stage." (https://micool.org/updates/blog/2016/06/09/teaching-effectively-with-technology-tpack-samr-rat/). I couldn't agree more the findings and thoughts of Weisspol, as the RAT model easily describes how technology is being used within the classroom, and what the ultimate goal of using technology is.
Unfortunately, I must admit that I am on the lower end of the RAT model, with my students doing more replacement and amplification activities in the past. I've replaced handwritten lesson plans with word processed lesson plans, while my students word processed their writing projects instead of handwriting them. We've dabbled in the amplification stage, by using the app Explain Everything to show student thinking, or demonstrate a new topic. Yet, little work from my students nor myself has been done within the transformation phase.
This school year, I'm moving to a new grade level, and learning a new curriculum; with that being said I'm aiming to spend a great deal of time in the Amplification stage, with my goal next school year moving into the Transformation stage. My team has already started to brainstorm how we can best amplify our current instruction using our iPads and plan utilize SeeSaw frequently to "increase efficiency and productivity" of our students. I'm excited to share this journey with you all this year, as I focus on the RAT model, and implementing it within my classroom. Stay tuned for more updates as we enter the 2017-2018 school year.
Jessica:
ReplyDeleteI also preferred the RAT model and also wrote about it my Blog. It made more sense to me.
It sounds like you are joining a strong team that already has some plans for Seesaw and the Ipads. I think your tech goal sounds like a very attainable goal. I look forward to reading future updates. You are a dedicated, enthusiastic teacher. Your students will thrive in your classroom next year.
"We've dabbled in the amplification stage, by using the app Explain Everything to show student thinking, or demonstrate a new topic. Yet, little work from my students nor myself has been done within the transformation phase."
ReplyDeleteThat's okay, Jessica! It seems as though you've moved beyond the Substitution level. I love the Explain Everything activity. I'm sure you will "cross the line" to the higher levels and you continue your technology journey.