Empowering Classrooms with Purposeful Technology: BCLR Teachers Embrace the BYOAD Vision
At BCLR, our commitment to equipping students with future-ready skills is at the heart of everything we do. In line with this vision, teachers from Grades 5 to 8 recently attended a dynamic and thought-provoking training session on BYOAD (Bring Your Own Approved Device), led by Ms. Neelam Tariq. This session served not just as a refresher but a deep dive into how technology can truly transform learning.
The session began with a reflective discussion on last year’s BYOAD experience, encouraging teachers to share the challenges and successes they encountered. It was an opportunity to re-evaluate strategies and consider how to move from simply using technology to using it purposefully and impactfully.
Exploring the SAMR Model: A Framework for Transformation
A key focus of the session was the SAMR model, which categorizes the integration of technology into four levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Teachers participated in an interactive task to analyze how classroom activities align with each SAMR level and brainstormed ways to elevate those tasks to the Redefinition stage—where technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable.
This hands-on approach empowered teachers to rethink their lesson planning, ensuring that technology isn’t just a tool, but a catalyst for deeper learning.
Merging Bloom’s Taxonomy with SAMR for Deeper Learning
The training also explored how Bloom’s Taxonomy—a familiar educational framework—can be blended with the SAMR model to push students beyond surface-level tasks. The goal was to design lessons that not only meet learning objectives but also leverage technology in a way that cultivates higher-order thinking.
ISTE Standards: Building Global Collaborators
Further elevating the session was the introduction of the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards. With seven key strands—including Digital Citizen, Creative Communicator, Computational Thinker, and Global Collaborator—these standards are designed to help students navigate and thrive in a digital world.
Teachers reflected on how they already incorporate aspects of ISTE in their classrooms and explored practical ways to integrate these standards more intentionally. Importantly, the ISTE framework is closely aligned with BSS’s PBL (Project-Based Learning) targets, reinforcing a holistic and globally-minded approach to education.
Looking Ahead: Implementation and Impact
Teachers left the session equipped with not only theoretical understanding but also practical resources—ranging from audio portals to poster-making tools—to begin implementing the BYOAD vision meaningfully in their classrooms.
The session concluded with an open Q&A, providing space to address uncertainties and share additional insights. One major takeaway resonated with all: technology should not just be used—it should be leveraged to promote deeper learning, student ownership, and real-world skills.
At BCLR, we believe in continuous learning for both students and educators. This BYOAD training reaffirms our commitment to creating tech-integrated classrooms where innovation and inquiry go hand in hand.