What is TPACK?
TPACK is just one type of learning design framework used by teachers. For those of you who are not familiar with the art of teaching it is actually quite a complex process. There is a lot to consider and plan for prior to entering any classroom.
My understanding of a learning design framework is that it ensures that the teacher is able to consider and integrate all elements necessary for a successful learning experience. In relation to TPACK what are these elements?
The elements of the TPACK learning design are represented by the acronym as follows:
- Technological
- Pedagogical
- And
- Content
- Knowledge
Individually each element appears to be almost self-explanatory although I personally have had to tackle with the word pedagogy quite a few times in consolidating my own understanding.
Let's start with two of the terms listed above, "pedagogy" and "content".
Pedagogy. Pedagogy as defined by CQ University (2013) means "the strategies, techniques and approaches that teachers can use to facilitate learning."
Content. This is used to describe the material or subject matter the teacher is teaching. For example, mathematics.
Content. This is used to describe the material or subject matter the teacher is teaching. For example, mathematics.
On their own they are not going to create any great learning experience but when they are used together they create not only another acronym (PCK - Pedagogical Content Knowledge) but as described by Mishra and Koehler (2006, p1021) they describe the "manner in which subject matter is transformed for teaching". Mishra and Koehler (2006, p1021) also go on to say that PCK occurs "when the teacher interprets the subject matter and finds different ways to represent it and make it accessible to learners".
So PCK is our starting point. It is transforming subject matter for teaching. Let's introduce technology!
If you are like me and superficially consider how technology fits in to a learning design framework you may initially consider that it is just a support tool for teaching content. Whether it be used for presenting information learnt by students, or just a different platform to present the same pedagogy. For example, putting information sheets or homework questions on a wiki or web-site for students to read.
Like I said, superficial thinking, NO! Technology is much more than that. The word that made it all fit together for me was INTEGRATION!. Wendy Fasso our course co-ordinator considered this concept in our tutorial and for me it tied TPACK together.
Like I said, superficial thinking, NO! Technology is much more than that. The word that made it all fit together for me was INTEGRATION!. Wendy Fasso our course co-ordinator considered this concept in our tutorial and for me it tied TPACK together.
Technology to me is integrated into the learning design framework in that, just like content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge, it is a knowledge base for teaching (Mishra and Koehler, 2006). If integrated correctly, technology together with pedagogy and content knowledge, could reinforce the concepts of Bloom's Taxonomy including higher order thinking. If used correctly with the correct pedagogy and appropriate content, it can be less of a platform for presenting learning and more of problem solving tool. The trick is working out what type of technology suits your problem. For example how can I use a wiki to incorporate collaborative learning and extend the learning to solving a problem? How can a wiki make my students work through a problem collaboratively and create new ideas?
However, if you stop and think about TPACK for too long it can start to get quite complex. When that starts to happen, I find it useful to look at a diagram that links the three knowledge bases together. Where they intersect in the middle is where you get TPACK.
As with with most things teaching it is a good idea to share ideas. I have been communicating with my fellow GDLT students, looking at their blogs and sharing ideas. The following YouTube video on TPACK is quite popular and I first watched it on Amy's blog. It helps to sum up in fairly basic terms how each element of TPACK fits together.
Source
If you are after more information on the topic of TPACK, I also found a web-site of a company working in remote areas of Australia that discusses it further. If you would like some further insight please look at the following link.
Reference List:
CQUniversity Australia. (2013). EDED20456 - Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Study guide.
Rockhampton, Qld: Author.
Mishra, P and Koehler M, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge. Teachers College Record Volume 108, Number 6, June 2006, pp 1017-1054
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