WEEK TWO- The Unfolding of TPACK

BING!

I think I’ve got it.

When engaging in this weeks readings’ the first article I chose to read was Koehler and Mishra’s ‘What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge?’ (2009).

The title said it all…WHAT IS IT? I couldn’t have said it better myself. Afterall, that’s the question I’ve been wanting to make a connection too, find out the answer too, relate something too! And now I finally can.

Technology Integration: There is no “one best way” to integrate technology within the curriculum and classroom environment (Koehler & Mishra, 2009). In order to meet the expectations of today’s students who live in a technology enriched, electronically mediated environment, the classroom must provide interactive opportunities that will motivate and allow them to focus on learning the content rather than the task (How digital tools prepare students for the 21st century, n.d.). Koehler and Mishra (2009) state, “integration efforts should be creatively designed or structured for particular subject matter ideas in specific classroom contexts” (p. 62). This is where the three core components of the TPACK model emerge.

To effectively engage in the model, teachers should first understand the relationships among the three components in order to produce effective teaching with technology.

TPACK

Content

 Teachers can focus on a content area that they desire to enhance using technology as a means of further development.

Technology

 The technology tool chosen should compliment the content area and provide a clear, beneficial improvement for teaching that focused content area.

Pedagogy

 The teaching strategies should demonstrate an understanding of how students construct knowledge. The educator has a knowledge of the process and practices that are required in the classroom to meet the needs of the students.

As a future teacher, I need to find myself a comfortable approach with how I can use my knowledge and apply this knowledge in unique contexts within my classroom. No one said it’s going to be easy, however, I believe I am required to be sufficiently prepared to integrate technology within the classroom and value its relevance in the education of students.


REFERENCES

Koehler, M. & Mishra, P. (2009). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge? Contemporary issues in technology and teacher education, 9(1),60-70.

How digital tools prepare students for the 21st century. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2011, from http://www.inspiration.com/sites/default/files/documents/How_Digital_Tools_Prepare_Students_for_the_21st_Century.pdf

WEEK ONE- An Enriched Introduction of ICT and Pedagogy

"Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event" - Heidi-Hayes Jacobs.

And that is exactly what I will strive to achieve.

The beginning…

Today marks the day of the first lecture and tutorial for my chosen elective, ICT and Pedagogy. Furthermore, today also marks my commencement day to develop into more than just a ‘computer literate’ human being. My goal: to develop into a competent, disposed, technologically savvy human being, encompassing a aptitude of evolving technologies that I can one day, contentedly, integrate within my classroom to effectively and successfully support and strengthen student learning (deep breaths). To be frank, I have a small apprehensiveness toward my slightly overstated goal. Nevertheless, I am a keen learner and am determined to (somewhat) accomplish my ambition…in roughly 4 years time.

In week one’s lecture Dr. Zagami introduced various technologies that could be integrated within classrooms. I was fascinated by the range of diverse programs, tools and devices that could one day transform our classrooms into inventive and interactive learning environments.

There were several new and innovative technologies that stood out for me during the lecture. Some I had heard of and others I knew nothing about.

- Collaborative Computing: the thought of being able to incorporate students to collaboratively work on (for example) a story electronically truly excites me. No longer are we just exchanging information, collaborative computing can provide us the ability to share and modify through synchronous communication.

- Cloud Computing: to be honest I was still puzzled about cloud computing when first acquainted with it during the lecture. I considered researching this 'tool' further and acknowledging that I myself am a visual learner, I turned to YouTube for further assistance. 

That is where I cam across this easy to explain tutorial of cloud computing:

- The GOOGLE family: Google Groups, Google Reader, Google Sites, Google Docs, Google Video…the list is almost endless. Although I had previously been made aware with a handful of these google applications, my own personal participation had not been put into action. 

During the lecture Dr. Zagami introduced Gmail and I was able to create an account which then I could link to my primary email address. This now allow me to easily login to my primary email address and retrieve the emails that are being sent to my gmail address.

I am eager to start developing my website using google sites and I believe this application is a simple and easy tool that I can incorporate in my future classroom to post homework, communicate with parents and provide updates of student achievement.

This new information that I have obtained during the first lecture really has opened my eyes to what is out there and how technology is transforming and shaping the ways in which we educate.