Technology Integration ~ Stage by Stage

According to a 1980s study conducted by Apple, ACOT:  Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow, there are 5 stages of technology integration in the classroom.  

Stage 1:  Entry
Teachers in this stage are not comfortable with technology and avoid using it.  

Stage 2:  Adoption
Teachers in this stage use only a couple of technology tools ~ primarily personal productivity tools, with little student use of computers.

Stage 3:  Adaptation
This is a transition stage in which teachers begin to see the usefulness of technology and even start to try some technology with their students.

Stage 4:  Appropriation
Real change is happening at this stage.  Teachers feel more confident with the use of technology and try to integrate it everywhere ~ to the point of being excessive.

SAMR Model for Technology IntegrationImage from Google Images

Stage 5:  Innovation
Teachers in this stage are more selective in choosing the technology that is meaningful and useful in their classroom and curriculum.

The image to the right illustrates the SAMR model for technology integration, but I also think it is a great visual representation for the 5 stages revealed in the ACOT study.

Before I read the descriptions of the stages and thought merely about where I would fall on a continuum of technology integration, I definitely thought it would be pretty low on such a continuum.   Technology and I don’t always get along.  It seems that as soon I try to venture into some new technology, something “goes wrong” and I either don’t have a deep enough background to trouble shoot or simply just “bad luck” (I was actually told that by our technology integration specialist).  However, after the reading the descriptions of the stages, I find that I am a bit farther along than I would have originally given myself credit for.  

As I read more about the various stages, I think that I see glimpses of myself mostly in Stage 3 - Adaptation.  When I find technology that would be engaging and meaningful for my kiddos, I am excited to use it myself.  It is always encouraging to me to have colleagues sharing their success stories with using technology.  I am very cautious and even want to avoid Stage 4.  Time is a precious commodity for all teachers, but for me, teaching in a half-day kindergarten program and only seeing my kiddos for about 2 hours a day, every minute of our day becomes crucial.  I do not want to use technology just for the sake of using technology and being “flashy.”  Making learning meaningful and connected is always my goal ~ including the integration of technology.