Hello everybody. It is Lisa from It's Not That Hard to Homeschool and True North Online Academy. Today we're exploring a topic that's transforming how educators use technology in online classrooms and beyond the Samr model. Now, if you're an educator or a homeschooler, or just curious about how tech can enhance learning, this is absolutely for you.
By the end of this podcast, you're not only going to know what the role model is, but you'll understand how it can help transform simple tech usage into truly innovative educational experiences. So what is the role model? Well, let's break that down.
The salmon model was developed by Doctor Reuben Pugh into Dora, and the salmon model is a framework that helps educators think about the different ways technology can be integrated into teaching and learning, and the Salmon Model essay stands for substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition. The same salmon model guides teachers in leveraging tech tools effectively, and aims to move beyond just digital worksheets to foster meaningful, interactive learning experiences.
And each level represents a different way technology can impact the classroom. Level one is called substitution, and at this level, technology acts as a direct substitute for traditional tools. So imagine using a digital document to replace a paper worksheet. No functional change is a simple swap, just like a PDF version of a textbook. Instead of a physical copy. Now, is this helpful? Well, yeah. I mean, 2020, we saved the day in education by doing some of that swapping.
And here's the deal. Like it works. But a lot of people have a bad taste in their mouth about online education, because most educators in 2020 just use substitution and no shame on them. I mean, they were just like thrown into a situation they were making the best of. But the real magic of the salmon model is when we move past this stage and start adding new functionalities with technology. The second stage in the role model is called augmentation.
And here is where things start getting really interesting because an augmentation technology still substitutes a traditional tool, but with added functionality. So imagine a student using a Google doc to write an essay. Now they can use built in tools like spelling and grammar. Check. Who doesn't love that? They can use the comma features and they have the ability to collaborate in real time with people around the world. So substitution. It's a great place to start.
Augmentation takes it to the next level, but the next two levels, modification and redefinition, are called transformation levels. The first two level substitution and augmentation are what we call enhancement stages. So we're taking what we would already have used and just enhancing it. It's great, but it doesn't fundamentally change how students engage with the material. And that's where modification and redefinition comes in.
These levels are known as the transformative stages because they are enabled completely new types of learning activities that weren't even possible before. So let's jump into this. Modification is where technology starts changing the task itself. So instead of just writing an essay, students can write a blog post. They can collaborate with peers worldwide. They can add multimedia elements like images, videos, soundclips.
This approach shifts learning from a static process to a very dynamic, interactive experience. Redefinition upset even further, so redefinition in the same role model might be everybody's ultimate goal. What we have found a true North online Academy, is that using a combination of the SRM and our parts of this model really make for a robust online learning experience. But at the redefinition level, technology enables learning experiences that you could not even imagine without it.
So imagine a class virtually collaborating with scientists to create a project on climate change, to gather real time data, or to present their findings in a multimedia format. This level unlocks creativity and critical thinking of a whole new level, and allows students to connect with real world audiences and global experts. It's important to note that not every lesson or tool has to reach the read definition level to be effective. The samurai model is really more of a map than a mandate.
Educators that use it to ensure that technology isn't just an add on, but a tool to enhance, extend, and enrich learning.
Now, if you have been in an online learning environment where it is just a substitution kind of situation, or is just total tech, like some of the asynchronous programs where your kid just logs in and they watch a video, or they watch an animated version or whatever, you're you're using tech, so you're probably at the augmentation level, but you're not at the modification and you're not at the redefinition level. And usually these levels take a lot of time and attention.
One of the things we do at True North Online Academy is we really try to integrate all these different levels of learning in our classroom. So, for instance, students might do a digital escape room as a final or a quiz. They might do a web challenge or web search. Our German class actually collaborates with a class in Germany who is learning English. And those students connect on the regular are ESL program has a deaf interpreter come and talk to the students from around the world.
So we are really working to utilize all these levels of this animal model in our classes at True North Online Academy. So why is this animal model so important to online education? What does that matter? Especially when online education is so available to us now? During 2020, everybody realized they could go online and potentially make a lot of money. So why do you, as a parent or as an educator, need to think about the same role model?
Well, the Samr model helps online educators avoid what could be known as the technology trap, where we use tech just because it's there. And that's what I find with a lot of online programs. You might be a working parent who needs a really low cost solution to your kids learning. So you buy a program that is asynchronous and they sit in front of a computer all they want, is a tech trap in my opinion. Does it deliver skills? Does it deliver? Actually adequate education?
That's something to really think through. When the Santa model encourages educators to really think critically about how they're using tech to support meaningful learning, because that's what good educators do. They're always looking for ways to really ensure that the students are getting the lesson right, that they're actually growing in skills and abilities. That's what a good educator does. A computer doesn't do that. Computer is great at tasks, but it's not great at projects.
And listen, educating a person is a project. It's not a series of tasks. So a person is going to be your best bet for a solution to education in your life. Why is it important in online education again, so you don't fall into the tech trap? This can really help you as you're educating your own kids.
Or if you are an educator, educating others, or if you're a parent looking for a really meaningful, engaging program, it can help you understand how to improve engagement interaction with your kids in a digital environment, tools that allow for collaboration, discussion, and a hands on learning boost student engagement. And by using the same model as a guide, teachers can move from really basic online assignments to interactive projects like video discussions or multimedia presentations.
It can also help your kids build real skills for the real world. The redefinition stage especially mirrors the digital skills students are going to need in college and in the workplace. From online research to virtual collaboration, students are not only learning the content, but also the tech skills to succeed outside of the classroom and then also it can support different learning styles. So the Samr offers a flexible framework that lets educators meet diverse learning needs.
We get this question all the time at North Online Academy. My student has a learning disability, or they have this area of giftedness, or they're a double the gifted student. How do you handle all that in an online program? Well, the Santa model allows us to meet various needs at the same time, and a higher level students can represent their learning in varied formats through videos, podcasts, interactive simulations, etc. etc.. So how can educators get started with the Sammer model?
Well, if you're going to implement the same model, start with a small shift. Or if you're a parent looking for how you can integrate the San Juan model onto your students learning, start with a small shift. So instead of possibly aiming for redefinition right away, think about moving an activity from substitution to augmentation, for example.
So if students usually take notes on a word processor, encourage them to use a tool like Google Docs so that they can collaborate with classmates or have their teacher edit right on the document. A good start starting question for educators is how can this tool make my students learning deeper or more engaging? It's a really simple but powerful question that can help guide the level of Samr you're aiming for. Now. There's so much tech available to us right now.
I mean, it's just everywhere and there's so many tools, so many games, so much. I just it's it can be a little overwhelming. And parents and educators, I would encourage you, you don't have to do it all. Just take 1 or 2 tools to start with and see if they really do make a difference. So the samurai model reminds us that technology should be a means, not an end in education.
It's a really about empowering students to do things that they couldn't do before making learning more engaging, relevant, and impactful. So whether you're a veteran, an online educational just getting started, or you're if you're a parent looking at how online education can change or augment or help what you're doing with your kids right now, use the samurai model as a lens through which to view your digital tools and teaching strategies, as well as the online programs that you partner with.
You might be surprised how much just a really small shift can transform learning. So I just want to thank you for being part of this podcast. If it was helpful to you, please share it with fellow educators or parents interested in online learning and hit like, subscribe and we'd love to hear from you! If you have any comments about this podcast, please put them below.
We answer every single one and I'd be interested in how you, as parents are even thinking about choosing online helps and tools for your students. Just because it's available doesn't mean that it's going to be a useful tool for you to integrate into the learning environment for your student.
One of the things that we say at True North Online Academy Online Academy all the time, is that we use time tested educational pedagogy coupled with cutting edge tools and what that means is that we're taking solid educational methodology of teaching that's been time tested, because there's just certain things that your kids need to know. There's certain skills that they they must have to be really, truly educated people. And some of those things can be sat, can be taught very simply.
But then we're using cutting edge tech to integrate and help your kids be sure that they're ready for the global gig economy in which they're going to work and live. So we'd love to hear how you're doing that integration in your own home school, or with the private education that you're choosing, or even in the public school. How is the public school that you might be part of using the same role model or integrating, educational tools that your kids need with technology?
Until next time, keep experimenting and growing. And most of all, keep making learning and adventure. We'll talk to you soon. Thanks.