Discussion 6: A brief review of integration models
What I appreciate about the SAMR integration model is that it is simplified and aimed at helping you understand the purpose of using technology for a particular task. It allows you to consider whether you are using technology to enhance or transform a task and whether it is for functional improvement or a redesign of the task itself. It also provides the SCOR below to help ensure you are considering the challenges and opportunities of using technology in the classroom, such as equity and critical thinking.
I appreciate that the TPACK model asks you to reflect on the knowledge you have and how that informs and impacts what you teach. It is necessary to consider the connection between your content knowledge, your pedagogical knowledge, and the technological tools we can use to assist the delivery of content and pedagogy. I am not entirely sure how to implement the model and ensure that I am properly considering all aspects. My reflections on my teaching knowledge and practice may not reflect the experience of my students, so I would have to work in collaboration with them to avoid bias.
The community of inquiry model probably best reflects my personal teaching perspectives. I greatly value creating a safe space for communication and inquiry, where learning feel a part of a community. I strongly believe that the extent to which students can engage with the content correlates with how accepted they feel in the learning community and whether they feel it acceptable to take risks, share their ideas, and make mistakes. I do not find that this model relates to technology as explicitly as the other models. But of course technology is a powerful tool to promote inquiry and support engagement with content.
Finally, the TIM model provides a well-scaffolded approach to technology integration. It takes you from entry of technology to technology as transformation and considers several approaches or styles of integration including active, collaborative, instructive, authentic, and goal-directed. I feel it is probably the most detailed model that we looked at and I really appreciate the scaffolded layout that takes you from teacher use of technology to innovative student use that encourage student inquiry.
