Fostering a Positive Reading CultureThrough Thoughtful Integration of Technology
Bloom’s Taxonomy:
As we head through the 21st Century, the role of the teacher (and TL) is changing quickly around us, as is how students learn. Technology plays a big part of our future and how we responsibly and safely foster the digital world is both exciting and challenging to many teachers.
Technology can play a pivotal role in fostering a reading culture by enhancing traditional literacy and educational practices and creating new opportunities for engagement, accessibility, and collaboration (ITMO University, 2018). These new opportunities encourage the mix of new and exciting educational theories with more traditional ones.
Shift of Philosophies:
Many educators have learned and immersed themselves, since 1950, in Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Theory. Bloom outlines a hierarchy, a synthesis of learning, in his six step theory. The figure below shows the transformation of Bloom’s model from 1956 – 2001. The ideal model of learning has shifted as we consider that education today is more about higher order thinking and “doing” than just acquiring knowledge and content. Bloom has moved the process of learning to a verb form where the learner now becomes actively involved in the process of thinking and schooling.
Picture retrieved from: https://news.itmo.ru/en/news/7437
Though these steps are not necessarily progressive, the intent behind Bloom’s foundation skill set, is that teachers prepare and explore all levels of learning with the goal of achieving a deeper educational experience, a “higher order of thinking skills” as Bloom labels it (ITMO University, 2018). This higher level of thinking, therefore, becomes a necessary and exciting quest in our teaching especially as we embrace technology and a more digital world.
Coupling of Philosophies – Bloom with SAMR:
With key consideration to integration of technology is an enhancement for traditional learning, not a replacement. Dr. Puentedura (2014), suggests the coupling of the SAMR model and Bloom’s Taxonomy makes the process of integrating technology “less daunting” on teachers and provides students with engaging and rich learning experiences.
SAMR combined with Bloom’s Taxonomy
Retrieved from: http://miawebsterhaveasay.blogspot.com/2015/07/samr-vs-blooms-taxonomy.html
“Simply substituting an eBook for a textbook or streaming the same lessons over video chat aren’t going to cut it. It’s essential to be purposeful in how you integrate technology into your instruction”. (Powerschool, 2021)
Ways We Can Enhance Literacy Through Technology
By immersing students in dynamic activities, stimulating discussions, and collaborative endeavors, educators can transcend the limitations of the digital realm. In the article "4 Ways to Leverage Technology to Enhance the Learning Experience” by Rachelle Dené Poth (2004), the author discusses various ways educators can utilize technology to enhance literacy skills in the classroom.
1. Digital Reading Materials: The wide range of resources technology provides students with (including e-books, audiobooks, and online libraries) helps educators offer students a more varied and exciting selection of reading materials. These resources help to cater to students individual interests and academic needs.
2. Interactive E-books and Storytelling Apps: Interactive e-books and storytelling apps keep reading fun by incorporating elements like as animations and sound effects. These features make reading more interactive and enticing to students, particularly those who may struggle with traditional print materials.
3. Digital Annotation Tools: Digital annotation tools help students to interact with text. Features like highlighting important passages, taking notes, and making annotations directly within digital documents help students develop their reading skills and promotes a deeper comprehension of the text.
4. Collaborative Writing Platforms: Collaborative writing platforms like Google Docs or Microsoft Word Online enable students to work together on writing projects live. These platforms promote collaboration, peer feedback, and revision.
5. Digital Storytelling and Multimedia Projects: Digital storytelling tools and multimedia creation platforms empower students to create their own stories, presentations, and projects using a variety of multimedia elements (like audio and video). These types of projects encourage creativity, self-expression, and allow students to individualize their learning.
6. Online Discussion Forums and Book Clubs: Online discussion forums and virtual book clubs provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions about texts, share their thoughts and ideas, and interact with their peers.
At the redefinition level of SAMR, technology is used to create new tasks that were previously inconceivable (Powerschool, 2021). Students can now use multimedia tools to create interactive projects that combine text, images, audio, and video and perhaps create multimedia presentations to show their high-order thinking skills (ie. analysis, evaluation, and creation) (ITMO University, 2018). By leveraging technology in these ways, educators can enhance literacy instruction, engage students in the reading and writing process, and promote the development of essential literacy skills needed in the digital age while still considering computer programs as one component of a blended learning environment in which the teacher and peers are still the primary sources of interaction and instruction for students. (Reading Rockets, n.d.)
References:
Andreas, N. B. (2023). Unleashing the power of active learning: Revolutionizing online education for unprecedented engagement and achievement. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/online-student-engagement/unleashing-the-power-of-active-learning-revolutionizing-online-education-for-unprecedented-engagement-and-achievement.
Aronson, L. (2015, April 30). SAMR Model Explained by Lorie Aronson [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqgTBwElPzU
ITMO University. (2018, February 1). ITMO University researchers develop new model of learning process. Retrieved from https://news.itmo.ru/en/news/7437
Kendon, T., & Anselmo, L. (n.d.). SAMR and TPACK: Two models to help with integrating technology into your courses. Retrieved from https://taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca/resources/SAMR-TPACKLinks to an external site.
Kirkland, A. (2017). Models for Technology Integration in the Learning Commons. Canadian School Libraries Journal. https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/models-for-technology-integration-in-the-learning-commonsLinks to an external site.
Poth, R. D. (n.d.). 4 Ways to Leverage Technology to Enhance the Learning Experience. Defined Learning Blog. Retrieved from https://blog.definedlearning.com/blog/leveraging-technology-in-the-classroom.
PowerSchool. (2021) SAMR model: A practical guide for K-12 classroom technology integration. Retrieved from https://www.powerschool.com/blog/samr-model-a-practical-guide-for-k-12-classroom-technology-integration/Links to an external site.
Puentedura, R. (2016, July 12) How to Apply the SAMR Model [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTx2UQQvbU&t=55s
Puentedura, R. (2014). SAMR and Bloom's Taxonomy: Assembling the Puzzle. Common Sense Education. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/samr-and-blooms-taxonomy-assembling-the-puzzle
Puentedura, R. (2014, November 20). SAMR: A model for technology integration [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC5ARwUkVQg
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Responsibly incorporating technology into literacy instruction. Reading Rockets. Retrieved from https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/assistive-technology/articles/responsibly-incorporating-technology-literacy-instruction
University of Arkansas. (2022). Using Bloom's taxonomy. TIPS: Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support. Retrieved from https://tips.uark.edu/using-blooms-taxonomy
Vinter, A. (2023). 3 essential questions for edtech use. Common Sense Education. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/3-essential-questions-for-edtech-use
This is a well-researched post. Not only have you created a detailed response for the prompt, but you have woven in themes and learning from other aspects of our course. The multimedia elements enhanced your discussion. As I was reading, I was trying to identify practical tools for each aspect on the list to enhance literacy with technology. As a start - 1. Tumblebooks/Libby, 2. StoryBird/Book Creator, 3. ReadWrite, 4. Google Docs/Slides, 5. Book Trailers/Book Snaps, 6. Good Reads/Biblionasium.
ReplyDeleteThese are great connections Darcy and the ones I don't know, I will be sure to look into. Thank you!
DeleteI like how you tied SAMR to Bloom's Taxonomy. I think teaching digital safety and using EdTech tools well, means dipping into the top of the pyramid to critically think about transforming our lessons and using appropriate resources. Analyzing, evaluating digital resources and how to use them so we can create a new learning opportunity is transformative!
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