For teaching to be successful with 21st Century learners, technology must be interwoven with the how, what and why we are teaching.
What is TPACK? It stands for Technological, Pedagogical, Content and Knowledge. The article by Mishra & Koehler (2006) details what TPACK is and how it should be integrated to support good teaching. Basically TPACK is a framework that combines the use of technology (ability to use available software and hardware), to enhance how you teach (pedagogical techniques), as it relates to your content knowledge (what it is you are trying to teach). There are also a number of quick videos on youtube, a good one is TPACK in 3 Minutes by Royce Kimmons.
As a teacher I am always looking to improve my craft. To do this I use the internet, books, educational magazines and also observe fellow teachers in action. The key, I believe, is to always be curious, "what's next?" I must maintain an open mind, everything changes.
In reading Mishra & Koehler (2006) I was reminded of technology gone by. Prior to teaching I came from industry having worked at Timex Corporation for twenty-two years as a Quality Control Engineering Specialist. I remember the days of communicating by telex, research and reports were written and typed with neatly written supporting data attached. I remember buying my first computer from a friend and realized, after only a week, that it needed upgrading. The first time using a word processor and then e-mail. Utilization of Micosoft Office was next. Word, how to do fancy formatting and fonts with color; Excel with and without saving-that was a lesson learned!; and of course PowerPoint, now that was a challenge! When my engineering days were over I returned to school to obtain my Masters Degree in Education and now teach 7th and 8th grade science in New Haven. I have been teaching for five years now and have learned a lot, both in and out of the classroom. In the past year I have invested in an iPhone, (which I had a student set up for me last fall, I am pretty good with using it now), an iPad, an "e" printer and now the google chromebook which was given to me for use in the IT&DML 6th year program at UNH. I am looking forward to learning how to better integrate technology with pedagogy and content knowledge! :-)
Great post Roisin. It's not just the WHY...but more importantly it's the HOW of doing things. The challenge ultimately becomes...as technologies continue to change, how do we prepare our students and colleagues with the why, the how, and the what next.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting times...