SSED Week Eight

     The knowledge I gathered this week from the overview and the videos Dr. Parker shared have helped me to even further see ways to present information to my students and allow them to show me what they know.  I enjoyed learning about both the TPACK approach to viewing knowledge and the SAMR model of technology integration.  After gaining a deeper understanding of knowledge through TPACK and the different levels of technology integration according to SMAR, I have decided to make a few small changes to my unit plan in order to reach students in the most effective way possible.
     Looking back on my notes from my clinical observations this semester, it has been interesting to see how the technology integration used by my clinical educator falls into a different category of the SMAR model each time.  For example, one way that she showed the first level (substitution) was by taking the chart students were asked to fill in about the article they read and putting it on the smart board.  The smart board was substituted for the typical pencil and paper alternative.  An example of a time I saw my clinical educator use a deeper level (modification) was when she allowed students to correct writing mistakes on the smart board and each type of writing mistake had to be corrected in a different color.  She modified her lesson on correcting writing in order to integrate technology.  Another thing I have realized after looking into the SMAR model is that technology is not integrated nearly as much as I feel like it could be and should be in classrooms.  Students are completely comfortable with technology due to the time period they are living in, so why not take advantage of this by pushing students to use technology as often as possible in our classrooms?
     The TPACK model gave me a new understanding of how I present information to my students.  I now see that there are ways to move from my own personal comfort zone (which I believe is TCK).  I have now started looking at my unit plan and trying to decide what would be the best way to incorporate the other branches of the TPACK diagram and even move several lessons over to the "sweet spot" that we see in the center of the diagram.  By keeping this model and these ideas in the front of my brain as I plan lessons and continue revising my unit, I believe I will definitely begin to see more differentiation and more creativity throughout my lesson planning and learning experiences.       The TPACK and SMAR models, when used, will ensure that I am facilitating learning for my students in a variety of ways.  I will plan appropriate instruction for my students while challenging them to think critically.  Along with knowing my future students well and a thoughtful planning, the TPACK and SAMR models will be great tools for creating lessons and learning experiences in my future classroom.