Avatars in the classroom again!

On this occasion, Avatars are helping us to describe different clothes...

SAMR model... Technology in the classroom!

SAMR model is the Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition model. It was developed by Rubén Puentedura and tries to show the impact of the incorporation of technologies in the class.

The first two levels comprehend the Enhancement level, while the other two, the Transformation level.

In the Substitution level, technology is used to do tasks very similar to the ones done without it. An example of this level could be writing a story. Usually teachers ask students to write a story, print it and hand it in. In this case, technology is just replacing or substituting the handwriting done by the learner.

In the Augmentation level, technology is used as a way of substituting but doing some improvements. If, when writing the story, the student does not want to repeat a word, the use of a dictionary of synonyms can be really helpful; technology can help them to find a new word to substitute the other one.

In the Modification level, technology is used as a way of changing the task; it can be redesigned. So, instead of writing one story each student, they do collaborative work, for example, by using GoogleDocs; then they read the story and record it.

In the Redefinition level, technology is used to create a completely new task. Students can perform the story and make a very short film without any sound but the recording of the reading; for example, they are supposed to do what the reader says, so the story goes:

“He was about to win the race…”

I am not working at the moment so I really do not know in what stage I am, but the activities I always thought about in order to include technology in the classroom are part of the Enhancement level. Now, I have a possibility to reconsider about my future teaching practice and technology... They can go hand in hand!

What can an Avatar do in an English Classroom?

Avatars are a great way of dealing with different topics!

First of all, Avatars can help children to learn the different parts of the body or, more precisely, the different parts that make up our heads (hair, eyes, nose, etc.). Since, in some pages, they can select each part of the Avatar they want to create; they are incorporating vocabulary without even noticing it and without need to translate because, in each tab, they will see pictures of what they are selecting (the name of the tab). For example, if they click on the tab "eyes," they'll see images of different types of eyes!

Secondly, you can use Avatars in order to create characters for a story. For instance, children can create different Avatars and give them to a mate, so he or she has to write a story with his or her mate's Avatar as its main character.

So, here goes my Avatar…