TPACK

TPACK = Technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge.

The TPACK framework has three parts. Each part plays a huge role in teaching. For content knowledge, it is important for teachers to understand this part of the TPACK framework because content is what the students are learning in the class. If teachers do not have a clear understanding of this, they cannot pass the knowledge on to their students. The next part is pedagogy. This is also essential in classrooms because this is how the teacher is teaching the lesson. The third part is technology. This is the use of technology integrated in the lessons and not just there as a side resource.

To be a TPACK teacher, you must use all three of these aspects together for each lesson. Each lesson should have the correct content, good pedagogy, and integrated technology the correct way. In the article "What is technological pedagogical content knowledge" it discusses that the understanding of TPACK is not using each of these elements individually, but creating a lesson where understanding the content using technology and understanding how to use the technology in a constructive way to teach the content. TPACK is not individual, TPACK is bringing all the parts together cohesively.

As a future educator, understanding TPACK is very important to me. I need to understand how to teach using this framework the correct way. In the article "Too Cool for School? No Way!" it discusses how technology, specifically social media, is seen as a negative thing by some people. In a TPACK classroom, I will be able to take that technology and repurpose it to be beneficial in my classroom. One example the article gave that really stuck out to me was using Twitter to have social interactions with people from all over. Instead of the traditional pen pals, I believe it would be beneficial for students to interact via Twitter with other students their age. This could be talking about their culture, or maybe even a book that both classes are reading.

Personally, I believe the strongest aspect of TPACK for me is the technology. While going through the learning technology minor, I have gained a lot of resources to use in my classroom. I have also learned that a successful lesson does not start with the technology, instead it starts with the learning goal and the technology used is the last piece of the puzzle. On the other hand, the area I could use more work in is pedagogy. Although I have learned a lot of strategies, I still am unsure at times what will work well and what won't in regards to lessons. I do believe this will come with experience and one way will not always work for each student. As I finish my education and start my profession, I will continue to grow and learn how to be a TPACK teacher.

What do I hope to learn?

In CI 302, I hope to learn more about what technology I can bring to my future classroom. I am really excited to learn about technology that will help me enhance my lesson and be beneficial to my future students. I know some websites and apps that I could use, but this class will hopefully teach me more and also teach me how to incorporate technology in my classroom in the best way possible.

One specific technology I would like to learn more about it iPads and apps. Growing up, I only used computers in the computer lab for research and I was never really exposed to technology as a learning tool. I am familiar with some apps, but I know more and more schools are converting to one to one technology with iPads. I would really like to extend my knowledge in this area. I am excited for this class!