Technology Integration Models!

 Hi everybody! Welcome back to my blog!

Today I am going to be talking about Technology Integration Models! Technology Integration Models are excellent resources for teachers to use to plan, refine, and evaluate their lessons! You may be wondering what exactly a technology integration model is. Technology integration models are models that were formulated to help teachers and other educators think about and use technology in engaging and meaningful ways. 

Over the course of the past few days I have been familiarizing myself with various different models such as the TPACK and SAMR models. All of these models can be incredibly useful for educators to use when it comes to integrating technology in the classroom. The TPACK model is an excellent model for teachers to look at when they are planning their lessons. This model focuses on content knowledge, technological knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge. These domains help the teacher think about what content knowledge is being taught, how their students learn best, and the technology available to them. This model can help teachers think deeply about their lessons! 

THE SAMR model stands for substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. This model is a wonderful tool for teachers to use when they are evaluating their lessons. Does the technology act as a substitute for anything? If the technology is acting as a substitute, is this improving student learning? Does the technology used significantly modify the lesson? Does using the technology allow for a lesson to be taught that was previously not possible? These are just a few of the sample questions teachers can ask themselves when they evaluate the technology used in their lessons. 

Now you all may be wondering what my current favorite model is. The model that I connect with best is the Triple E model! 

 The TRIPLE E model can primarily be used for refining lessons with technology integration. Triple E stands for “Enhance, Engage, and Extend.” Educators can use this model to decide whether the technology they are using within a lesson is engaging to students, enhancing their learning, and helping students extend upon what they are learning. By evaluating a lesson using the Triple E model, teachers are more likely to reflect upon and refine their lessons. This constant refinement of lessons will not only help keep students engaged but will also help them make more meaningful connections with what they are learning about. 

The reason I connect best with the Triple E model is because I feel as though it can be most beneficial for students. Teachers can look at the Triple E framework and quickly assess the technology in their lesson. Also, the Triple E model can be used to assess the same lesson over and over again. Technology is constantly changing, which means the technology used in the classroom is also constantly changing. A teacher can use the Triple E model each year to evaluate the technology she is using. This will allow her to integrate better forms of technology into the classroom which can result in better student engagement and can help students extend upon these concepts. Using the Triple E framework to evaluate various lessons is a great way way to support students learning as the technology used in each lesson can be specifically chosen for this particular class. The Triple E framework is a great tool for teachers to use to refine their lessons and help students grasp complex topics. 

One question I have about Technology Integration Models is how often are they used? Do teachers evaluate their lessons with various frameworks each week, or do they do this annually?

I also have a question for all of you! What Technology Integration Model do you think you will use most often in your classroom and why? 

I will talk to you all soon!

-Nicole :)