What does the word ‘TPACK’ stands for?
TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge.
There are always new ideas in the field of teaching and teachers have to regularly upgrade ourselves.
This may sound like an impressive way to evaluate our lessons.
Technology is just one of the many tools to promote learning in our classrooms.
We should place our main attention on whether it is useful to include certain ICT tool to achieve our lesson outcome.
If the use of technology for a particular concept is not valid or useful, it is wise to avoid using it then.
Let’s watch video from youtube to get an overview of TPACK.
Three domains
TPACK gives an idea of how Technology, Pedagogy and Content can be integrated to enhance learning.
Teachers can use TPACK to consider how the 3 domains can affect one another to design an effective lesson to use technology to promote interactive learning.
Content Knowledge (CK) – What you know about the subject
Pedagogical knowledge (PK) – Theories about how learning takes place, methods, strategies and assessment modes available.
Technology Knowledge (TK) – Knowledge for the application and use of different ICT tools
PK + CK – Strategies that we use to teach the content of a subject
Example: Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach to teach Math concept
PK + TK – How technology can enhance a teaching approach
Example : To enhance collaborative learning, some teachers use the Padlet(Free online ICT tool).
CK +TK – How content can be taught using technology
Example: Knowledge about how videos from youtube or animations can show the concept of water cycle.
TPACK – How TK, CK and PK interact and intersect with the use of various ICT tools to enhance learning.
The use of TPACK
TPACK can be used as a consideration for our lesson plan. It provides a quick evaluation of how the integration of technology can promote learning.
TPACK can also be a self-evaluative tool to determine our level of TPACK competencies.
The following is adapted from Niess(2007)’s TPACK Developmental levels
Level 1: Consider spreadsheets as a tool for teaching and learning
Level 2: Accept the idea of teaching and learning using spreadsheets
Level 3: Adapt ideas for teaching and learning using spreadsheets
Level 4: Investigate and explore new ideas for teaching and learning using spreadsheets
Level 5: Advance curriculum integration with learning using spreadsheets as learning tools for evaluating understanding and knowledge constructed.
In conclusion
TPACK provides consideration of whether the ICT tool is doing the intended job to enhance learning.
We should never force an ICT tool when there is really no need for it.
TPACK let us evaluate and make professional judgement of the appropriate use of ICT tools and our own level of competencies in integrating the 3 domains.
This article is really a summary of how I interpret TPACK. Further reading will be useful to find out more about it for greater depth of understanding.
Disclaimer: This is my personal reflection and I am not in any position to instruct anyone what they should do. I am not responsible for any action taken as a result of this post. My post can only be a reference for your further research and growth. By reading this post, you acknowledge and accept that. All images and pictures were taken from google images that are free from copyright under labelled for reuse.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://fun2learn.vornix.blog/2018/08/01/does-your-lesson-have-tpack/