Integrating Technology for Today’s Professionals

We use technology on a daily basis. So much so that it has organically become a huge part of today’s businesses, schools, and libraries among others. While this is our new reality, it never occurred to me the value of technology when it is intentionally integrated into the workplace. Being intentional about integrating technology will no doubt help me grow, thrive, and succeed in my career.

How to be Intentional

How can I go about doing this in an organized and efficient manner? That’s the question I asked myself. Turns out that educators have been ahead of the game, integrating tech into lesson plans and assignments. Over the years, educators have created and used frameworks focused on technology integration to evaluate themselves on their current teaching style. The frameworks can show an educator how their integration or lack thereof has impacted learning and if they should brainstorm on how to enhance curriculum using technology. Some students may learn better by hearing a book being read rather than reading it themselves. Others may be visual learners, and a smartboard projecting instructions and images may be more helpful than being instructed verbally.

Frameworks

While frameworks such as the Triple E Framework, SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) model, and TPACK (Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge) were initially created for educators, the use of them can be valuable in any field.

Upon doing research, there was one framework in particular that I found would work best in evaluating myself in my line of work—quality assurance, machine learning. That is the SAMR model. The SAMR model can help show how I currently integrate technology, if it’s beneficial, and areas with opportunities for growth.

Origin of the SAMR Model

The SAMR Model was created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura. As a graduate student at Harvard in the mid-1980s, Puentadura was working on enhancing the undergraduate introductory science curriculum. “At that point [he] could see that some of the tools [they] had for digital storytelling and so on could really make a change. But it wasn’t clear that this was anything intrinsic to a given tool and rather a question of different types of practice associated with this. . .  [This] trigged [Puentadura’s] desire to research the topic” (Common Sense Education, 2016). This research on incorporating technological tools into education led to the creation of the SAMR model.

The SAMR model, more easily referred to as “Samer”, is a framework “. . . for evaluating instructional technology usage. SAMR is an acronym representing the four ways to apply technology to classroom activities – substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition.” (Farrow, 2023) Below are some simple definitions of each level:

o   Level 1-Substitution:

§  Technology acts as a direct substitute, with no functional change (The SAMR Model: Dr. Ruben Puentadura).

§  Same task. New tech replaces old tech/analog (Robertsn, 2013).

o   Level 2-Augmentation:

§  Technology acts as a direct substitute, with functional improvement (The SAMR Model: Dr. Ruben Puentadura).

§  Same task, but tech increases functionality (Robertsn, 2013).

o   Level 3-Modification:

§  Technology allows for significant task redesign (The SAMR Model: Dr. Ruben Puentadura).

§  Redesign parts of the task (Robertsn, 2013).

o   Level 4-Redefinition:

§  Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable (The SAMR Model: Dr. Ruben Puentadura)

§  Create a new task that was once unimaginable (Robertsn, 2013).

For a more detailed look into the SAMR model, be sure to read SAMR model explained: Substitute, Augment, Modify, and Redefine Activities Using TeacherMade.

My current implementation of the SAMR levels

As a Quality Assurance Associate at a software development company, there are many instances where integrating technology is very beneficial. It saves me from wasting my time and completing unnecessary work. Separated by level, below you will find examples of the ways in which I integrate tech to make my job a lot easier.

 Substitution 

·        Taking notes during meetings using a notes app on my laptop rather than handwriting notes with pen and paper.

·        Attending meetings via Zoom rather than in person. 

·        Asking coworkers and supervisors questions about current tasks via Slack, rather than having to meet with them in person.

Augmentation 

·        Using 1password to save all needed passwords securely rather than writing them down with pen and paper or storing them in a Word document 

·        Using Slack instead of email to communicate with coworkers. Slack is more efficient as delivery and response are almost instant. Also, the huddle feature allows users to have virtual meetings. Users can share their screens with each other to view visuals of what's being discussed.

Modification 

·        Revamping the team progress tracker to include not only how many files are completed by team members, but also tracking progress by day, a section to post open assignments for the team to grab in their free time, and an efficient format of how project rules are displayed.

Redefinition

·        Using Chat GTP to ask questions and receive answers instantly generated by AI; Rather than using Google to search and sifting through many sources to find the correct answer

 Where do I rank?

 

Creative Commons Image

Image Source: Vocabulary.com Dictionary

From the previous section above, it’s clear that the way I integrate technology the most is by substituting the old with the new. My job is quite simple in nature as a quality assurance associate, so just a few swaps make a world of difference. Before stepping down from my supervisory position, I had more opportunities for innovation. This is why redefinition is the level where I have more room to grow.

Future plans

In the future, I plan to focus on ways to incorporate modification and redefinition in my professional life. Once I start my career as either a digital asset manager or cataloging librarian, there will always be opportunities to redefine how something is done. According to Dr. Puentedura, “it’s very important for people to feel comfortable with the tools to evolve their practice” (Common Sense Education, 2016). Therefore, building up my strength in substitution and augmentation will be beneficial when I start brainstorming on how to use technology to modify and redefine processes that are outdated and time consuming.

References

Common Sense Education. (2016). How to Apply the SAMR Model with Ruben Puentadura. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTx2UQQvbU

Farrow, R. (2023, August 19). SAMR model explained: Substitute, Augment, Modify, and Redefine Activities Using TeacherMade. TeacherMade. https://teachermade.com/samr-substitute-augment-modify-and-redefine-digital-worksheets-with-teachermade/

Robertsn, C. (2013). SAMR in 120 Seconds. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us0w823KY0g

The SAMR Model: Dr. Ruben Puentadura. Edutopia.org. photograph, Creative Commons. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/powerful-model-understanding-good-tech-integration.

Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). Redefinition. In Vocabulary.com Dictionary. Retrieved September 06, 2024, from https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/redefinition

Youngson, N., Creative Commons 3., & Alpha Stock Images. (n.d.). Substitution. photograph, https://www.picpedia.org/chalkboard/s/substitution.html.