SAMR & Schoology: Demystifying Schoology Tools for Adult Learners

Audience Level: 
All
Session Time Slot(s): 
Institutional Level: 
K-12
Abstract: 

Imagine being able to extend learning experiences for students beyond the classroom.  Enhance and transform teaching and learning with the integration of Schoology's basic tools with the SAMR framework.   In this session, educators are able to understand how the SAMR framework and Schoology support personalized learning.

Extended Abstract: 

Due to the versatility of Schoology, the transformation of the learning experience can truly take place.  Schoology is a free, learning management system for the basic version and will help districts personalize learning for students and staff.  Mainstreaming communication and ensuring competency based learning becomes easier to implement as Google and Office 365 can be used within Schoology's platform. 

 

Navigating through the Schoology platform will be demonstrated in alliance with SAMR's framework. The SAMR Framework acronym stands for substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition.  This framework was developed by Ruben R. Puentedura to identify how technology is effectively integrated with mLearning activities (Romrell, Kidder & Wood, 2014).   mLearning is defined as learning that is situated, personalized, and connected through the use of a mobile device (Romrell, Kidder & Wood, 2014).  An important aspect of mLearning is the personalized learning experience.  This can only occur when teachers are empowered to teach with technology tools in their instruction, especially for English language learners. This relationship can only be sustained through adequate training that merges these areas together that will help overcome challenges of technology integration.  

 

The SAMR framework is a technology integration model that doesn’t speak to the effectiveness of teaching strategies, but rather an analysis on how technology is used with instructional activities. Puentedura (2013) stated that substitution occurs when teaching is a substitute for other learning activities without changing. Augmentation is when the technology provides a substitute for other learning activities but with improvements.  Modification is when technology allows the learning activity to be redesigned.  Finally, redefinition is when technology allows for new tasks that could not be done without technology (as cited in Romrell et al., 2014). 

 

 

By joining a Schoology course within this session, attendees will take away useful links for deployment of Schoology in the classroom as a beginning or returning user.  Additionally, instructional videos within the course will be given to use for a smooth deployment of this technology tool and identify it with SAMR.    Attendees will see from a student’s perspective how Schoology has enhanced and transformed their learning experience in my classroom.

 

This is a great session for initial learners of Schoology or as a review of basic tools. Additionally, this is excellent for school leaders thinking about using Schoology as a potential Learning Management System for their school or district.

 

Activities:

Outline of Presentation Content:

1.  Introduction to SAMR with video of Dr. Puentedura

2.  Student reviews, videos and perspectives of social media

3.  SAMR examples and scenarios with Schoology

4.  Review of basic tools of Schoology

5.  Schoology Integration with Google and Microsoft Office

6.  Attendees will be able to join a Schoology course designed for the session with all supplementary resources about SAMR and setting up Schoology for staff and students

7.  Attendees will have time to attempt to create a sample class and collaborate with their peers

8.  Questions from the audience/concluding remarks

 

 

                                   Reference

Romrell, D..Kidder. L. C., & Wood, E. (2014).  The SAMR

    Model as a Framework for Evaluating mLearning,

   Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 18(2).

Position: 
5
Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 3
Conference Track: 
Effective Tools, Toys and Technologies
Session Type: 
Emerging Ideas Session
Intended Audience: 
Administrators
Instructional Support
Students
Technologists