TPACK

= What is TPACK? =

//TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. It is very important when teaching to make sure you include all three of these into your lessons to enhance student learning.//

As you can see, the TPACK model is made up of three circles within a larger circle (the context within which you are teaching). The blue circle stands for content knowledge, the yellow circle for pedagogical knowledge and the purple circle for technological knowledge.

Where all of these circles meet are where you are truly integrating technology into the classroom because you are taking into consideration your content knowledge and your pedagogical knowledge first and then using the correct technology to meet these needs.

= What do the 7 Areas of TPACK Mean? =


 * Content Knowledge (CK) **

This is the actual knowledge you want your students to learn. It is taken from the academic content standards and broken down into benchmarks and indicators. Be sure to know what your focus is for the lesson and what you expect your students to learn by the end of the lesson.


 * Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) **

This is the knowledge of methods of teaching and learning which includes educational purposes, values, and aims. Pedagogical knowledge applies to student learning, classroom management, lesson plan development and implementation, and student evaluation. It is important to be aware of how your students learn best when trying to figure out the best way to get the information across to them.


 * Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) **

Pedagogical content knowledge covers the broad spectrum of teaching, learning, curriculum, assessment, and evaluation. In other words, when you are ready to teach the content you must first understand the content, find multiple ways to present it to meet the needs of your students, and adapt and tailor the materials to other concepts and your student's prior knowledge.


 * Technology Knowledge (TK) **

Technology knowledge is always changing and keeping up with it can be a full-time job so TPACK defines technology knowledge as: knowledge of computer literacy that goes beyond basic understanding in order to apply it effectively at work as well as everyday life, to be able to understand when technology can assist or impede with a goal, and to continually adapt to changes in technology.

**Technological Content Knowledge (TCK**)

Technological content knowledge is an understanding of how technology and content can help and hinder each other. In other words, teachers need to have a deep understanding of the content they are teaching and how the content can be changed by the use of technology.


 * Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) **

Technological pedagogical knowledge is an understanding of how both teaching and learning change when different types of technology are used. This means teachers need to know the pedagogical affordances and limitations of technological tools as they relate to disciplinarily and developmentally appropriate pedagogy. In order to do this teachers need to look beyond technology for its original use and adapt it to their own pedagogy.


 * Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) **

TPACK goes beyond all 3 components (content, pedagogy, and technology) to provide an understanding that comes from integration of all 3 components. TPACK is the source of effective teaching. It requires an understanding of the representation of concepts using technology, pedagogical techniques that use technology effectively to teach content, knowledge of what concepts are easy or difficult for your students to learn and how technology can help balance out some of the problems your students are facing, knowledge of your students' prior knowledge and theories of knowledge, and knowledge of how technology can be used to build on existing knowledge.

= Is SMARTBoard the Answer? =

//No! and Yes!//  So, if you are planning to integrate technology into your classroom, will using your SMARTboard solve all your problems? Of course not! If you truly want to integrate technology into your classroom //do not// decide what technology you are going to use first. Think about what you are teaching and then think about how best to deliver it. SMARTboards are great tools, but only if you use them effectively. = What Did I Learn? =

//After reading about TPACK, click on the link to take a TPACK quiz.// @http://challenge.zoho.com/welcomeToTest.do?aId=28331000000003097&subDomain=instructionaldesign