In a nutshell, think about the SAMR model as a framework through which you can assess and evaluate the technology you use in your classroom. This framework is made up of four levels:
Substitution
In a substitution level, teachers or students are only using new technology tools to replace old ones, for instance, using an e-text to replace a traditional textbook.
Augmentation
We are still in the substitution mentality but this time with added functionalities. Using the example of Google docs, instead of only creating a document and having to manually save it and email it to others, Google Docs provides extra services like auto saving, auto syncing, and auto sharing in the cloud.
Modification
This is the level where technology is being used more effectively - not to do the same task using different tools but to redesign new parts of the task and transform students learning. An example of this is using audio, video and text in an iMovie presentation.
Redefinition
If you are to place this level in Bloom's revised taxonomy, it would probably correspond to creation and evaluation as being the highest order thinking skills. Redefinition means that students use technology to create imperceptibly new tasks. As is shown in the video below, an example of redefinition is "when students connect to a classroom across the world where they would each write a narrative of the same historical event using the chat and comment section to discuss the differences, and they use the voice comments to discuss the differences they noticed and then embed this in the class website".
Kharbach, Med. "SAMR Model Explained for Teachers ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning." Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Substitution
In a substitution level, teachers or students are only using new technology tools to replace old ones, for instance, using an e-text to replace a traditional textbook.
Augmentation
We are still in the substitution mentality but this time with added functionalities. Using the example of Google docs, instead of only creating a document and having to manually save it and email it to others, Google Docs provides extra services like auto saving, auto syncing, and auto sharing in the cloud.
Modification
This is the level where technology is being used more effectively - not to do the same task using different tools but to redesign new parts of the task and transform students learning. An example of this is using audio, video and text in an iMovie presentation.
Redefinition
If you are to place this level in Bloom's revised taxonomy, it would probably correspond to creation and evaluation as being the highest order thinking skills. Redefinition means that students use technology to create imperceptibly new tasks. As is shown in the video below, an example of redefinition is "when students connect to a classroom across the world where they would each write a narrative of the same historical event using the chat and comment section to discuss the differences, and they use the voice comments to discuss the differences they noticed and then embed this in the class website".
Kharbach, Med. "SAMR Model Explained for Teachers ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning." Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.