Educational Technology

Thoughtful use of technology begins with lesson design. As teachers design lessons, we ask them to utilize our EISD planning framework to ensure technology integration is purposeful, enhances the learning experience and aligns to our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Dr. Ruben Puentedura developed the SAMR model as a way for teachers to evaluate how they are incorporating technology into their instructional practice. The SAMR model lays out four tiers of online learning, presented roughly in order of their transformative power: substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition.

When you reflect upon how you are integrating technology into your classroom it’s tempting to think of SAMR as a mountain to be summited. But good technology integration isn’t about living at the top of the SAMR model; it’s about being aware of the range of options and picking the right strategy for the lesson at hand.

Eanes ISD selected SAMR as the instructional framework during the original 1:1 implementation in 2013. This model best aligns with the beliefs and instructional practices in the district. Referring to the SAMR model, teachers can evaluate the technology use by responding to these questions:

• Where does my lesson fit within the SAMR framework?

• How am I going to teach this and see evidence of student learning?

• Can technology help to get all students equitable access to meaningful learning?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. The research basis for the general principles of UDL is also grounded in modern neuroscience. The three basic principles are built upon the knowledge that our learning brains are composed of three different networks, recognition, strategic, and affective. 

The UDL Guidelines align these three networks with the three principles (recognition to representation, strategic to action and expression, and affective to engagement). This empirical base in neuroscience provides a solid foundation for understanding how the learning brain intersects with effective instruction. This alignment is further extended and clarified by the guidelines and checkpoints.

Students are online more than ever before, so teaching them how to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly is an essential part of their social and emotional development and academic success.

K-5 Digital Citizenship Activities 

6-12 Digital Citizenship Activities 

Family Engagement Toolkit