Expression of Myself


A place for thoughts and views. My perspectives ... My eyes to your eyes. A little piece of me for everyone to see and a place for us to come together. Please stay as little or as long as you want but come back often for so many wonders of the world has yet to be discovered!


Saturday, October 11, 2014

The RAT, SAMr and the mLearning Journey

A few weeks back I ran into this blog while I was searching for mLearning theoretical framework for a special project that I am working on and found it quite helpful in identifying categorical differences between RAT and SAMR. I was looking for different substitution teaching strategies applicable to mobile learning. 





This Digital Literacy Blog was extremely helpful because it simply analyzed and compared the differences between RAT and SAMR. However, the author was a bit more partial toward RAT and enjoyed the simplicity of the RAT framework. McHugh (2014), simply stated that it gets to the point and it gets the job done. Hence, possibly the reasoning behind his Occam's Razor reference.

I must admit though, the simplest explanation sometimes tends to be the best possible solution. I must admit as well, I do like the RAT framework more than SAMR. See bellow.


R :: replacement | redundant | retrograde
A :: augmented | average | acceptable
T :: transformed | terrific | tremendous

VERSUS

Substitution  

Augmentation 

Modification 

Redefinition

Replacement, Amplification and Transformation (RAT) is an educational technology integration framework that explores the critical decision-making process pertaining to the utilization of technology in classrooms. RAT, according to Hughes, Thomas, and Scharber (2006), apprise technology and determines if (a) replaces the current means of learning without changing instructional practice and student learning, (b) amplifies instructional and learning efficiency and (c) transforms and redefines learning and teaching to a more collaborative and transformative way learning. RAT is not about replacing a particular teaching tool with an emerging technology but rather it explores the purpose of the technology system and how it is integrated in the pedagogy.


Simple and Exciting is what I always say

When adopting a technology in your lesson plan always examine the purpose and functionality of the technology system. I am a firm believer of adopting technology to assist and enhance teaching and learning. When we are spending more time learning the system instead developing and learning the objectives of the course then dump that technology system. 

Adopting and incorporating the system must be simple to use and don't forget that level of excitement when we are using the system. Once again, simple and exciting.

For more information regarding RAT please see below.

Replacement, Amplification and Transformation (RAT)

Hughes, J., Thomas, R. & Scharber, C. (2006). Assessing Technology Integration: The RAT –
Replacement, Amplification, and Transformation - Framework. In C. Crawford et al.
(Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 1616-1620). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

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