A Look Into the TPACK Framework
The TPACK Framework
This week, I explored the TPACK Framework for integrating technology into the general education classroom. TPACK stands for "Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge." As stated in the name, this approach to education calls for a unison of technological knowledge, content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge to be provided by the educator. Today, I would argue that it is impossible not to approach education through some sort of technological lens. Following the TPACK method, educators have certain guidelines, or steps, that they must follow to create a meaningful union of the three knowledges and successfully integrate technology into the classroom. The TPACK Framework suggests that to meaningfully integrate technology into the classroom, educators should begin by looking at the content knowledge, then their pedagogical knowledge, and lastly, the technological knowledge.
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| Source: STE (International Society for Technology in Education |
First, educators must determine their learning goals or desired outcomes for their lesson. This step would fall under the realm of content knowledge. Next, it is up to the educator to determine how they would like to actually teach the content. Depending on the class and content, the educator may choose a variety of instructional methods, such as direct instruction, inquiry, and think-pair-share just to name a few. Finally, it is time for the educator to think about what technology they would like to integrate into the lesson. This may be technology that is meant for the teacher, the students, or both.
My Experience with the TPACK Framework
When reflecting on my educational practices as they align with the TPACK Framework, I came to realize that at times, particularly when planning literacy lessons, I am focusing on the technological aspect of the framework before establishing my learning goals and desired outcomes. My district outlined and assigned literacy block leaves my 3rd grade students with about 30 minutes of independent work time each afternoon. Understanding the importance of exposing my students to independent experiences to use technology, I find myself first picking the program or website I want them to use before deciding what I want them to do on said program or website.
SeeSaw and PebbleGo tend to be my go-to resources for this backwards approach. During a typical day of planning the independent work period, after already deciding that I would like my students to complete an activity on SeeSaw, I will browse either the Community Library or District Library to find literacy activities that I believe my students could complete without my support. From there, I will decide what the learning goal will be based on the activity I have chosen, identifying main idea, recognizing consonant clusters, identifying text features, etc.
I know that with each passing year it will be further expected of the teacher to integrate technology into the general education classroom. As I begin to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, I look forward to the new opportunities I will be granted to meaningfully and intentionally integrate technology in a way that finds my practices in the center of the TPACK venn diagram.
Kaitlin, I did not get the chance to explore the TPACK method this week, however your explanation of the method itself was extremely helpful! Integrating technology in a meaningful way is far from easy, and I admire your dedication (and planning) to further implement it as you grow as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaitlin, I loved your take on the TPACK method. I did look over this method and it does look pretty interesting. The amount of detail that was brought in this post is insightful. What stood out to me is your dedication and commitment to your students. The amount of planning and making sure technology is around them is admiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty about sometimes picking the tech before the objective. This reminds me of an example where a teacher sees a box of pencils in her mailbox and says, "oh look at these pencils! I wonder what I can have the kids do with them." Which sounds absurd, right? Yet teachers replace the word "pencils" with "Chromebook" all the time!
ReplyDeleteThe best part about TPACK is that it allows us to give equal weight to all 3 components. One doesn't outshine the other but all in alignment can generate some powerful learning.
Thanks Kaitlin, I found your post really helpful in understanding how to apply the TPACK method to real-world situations. I like that the TPACK method also considers context. Using technology appropriate for different contexts is an important factor in whether that technology will have the desired impact or not.
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