Integrating Technology in Your Online Courses with the SAMR model

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Source: http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/archives/2014/11/28/SAMRLearningAssessment.pdf

The other day, I was reading about the SAMR model for integrating technology. I'm currently revamping a class and developing another class using this model as a loose guideline for my efforts. As you probably already know, modifying an existing course requires you to rethink every part of a course and its activities. For an established course, this process can be a really time-consuming one. For online courses which depend greatly on technology for enhancing students' learning experience, the process of redesigning a course can be even more involved.

I find that something like the SAMR model can offer a "litmus" test with multiple levels to help you modify and redo learning activities. Using a visual representation of the SAMR model can be helpful when going through your process.  The key in using the SAMR model is to ask yourself HOW are students learning the content. If they are learning in basically the same way, then the design is an augmentation or substitution level. On the other hand, if students are learning in a deeper way, then the design is a redefinition or modification.

Course Design Tips for Micro learning

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Micro learning involves learning in "nuggets" or digestible chunks. Learning this way discourages the idea of mastering a topic but instead promotes learning information as it is needed. 

Teaching online requires teachers that are subject matter experts in addition to course designers. Micro learning supports this by presenting material in a less threatening way to students who may be easily intimidated. Also, creating learning "nuggets" allows you the freedom to present materials in different, more interesting ways rather than spend countless hours developing materials.

Here's how to do it.

Creating Custom Learning Pathways with Micro learning

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Micro learning involves learning in "nuggets" or digestible chunks. Learning this way discourages the idea of mastering a topic but instead promotes learning information as it is needed. 

Teaching online requires teachers to function as subject matter experts AND course designers. Teachers must design courses that inspire, stimulate and motivate students to learn on their own. Micro learning supports this by allowing teachers to customize content in a course. Customizing nuggets of relevant information on a topic empowers students to create their own learning pathways in a course. This in turns helps to motivate them to learn.

Here are some thoughts on how micro learning can be used to create custom learning pathways: