To love TPACK, is to know TPACK!
The
technical definition of TPACK is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge, which simply put, is a
framework that identifies the knowledge teachers
need to teach effectively with technology.
- The content aspect is defining the concept of teacher knowledge, defining the content within the subject, finding the relate-ability, and identifying the ideas and theories tied to what is taught.
- The pedagogical aspect is being in the know: knowing how your students will understand the concept, knowing what they will need as students as well as what you will need as the instructor, and knowing what pedagogical (method) strategy will fit best.
- The technology aspect is self-defining to me, but I'll slightly elaborate: it is deciding what technology will be used to introduce/execute the lesson.
The
use of TPACK should occur daily in the lesson plans of an educator, especially
since the focus of education has shifted in an attempt to keep up with the
technological advances of society. In my opinion education is lagging in its
incorporation of technology into day to day lessons. I believe that this is
mostly because of a lack of ingenuity on the part of the educator. Most people
want to blame the lack of school funding for technology for prehistoric
lesson delivery, but I believe that it is a matter of utilizing the tools that
you have in new and innovative ways. It is a must to hold the attention of today’s
students. Trying the TPACK method will ensure that students are retaining at
least some of the information that is being presented.
