Photo by Nima Sarram on Unsplash TPACK: Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
What a teacher lingo mouthful, right? Through the Innovative Learning Masters Program, I have become familiar with the TPACK model. The TPACK model depicts the integration of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge practices into multiple learning settings. In today's world, educators need to be well versed in technology, not just for their own organizational well-being but to ensure their students' preparedness for a world of ever changing technology. I used to have to provide students 30 minutes per day of practice on a reading foundational skills online learning platform. It felt impossible to dedicate anymore time to technology in our already packed school day. While teaching virtually during a pandemic has been a challenge, one silver lining has been the head first dive into technology. It's been a sink or swim world and I have been trying my best to doggie paddle my way through. Even though I'm still a big fan of paper and pencil work for primary aged students, I have so many more tools in my belt for engaging students in learning. As I waded through my action research in the classroom, I had to deepen my understanding and comfortability with the technological tools available to me in order to effectively deliver content knowledge in the area of math. After teaching second grade for over 8 years, I was happy not to struggle too much with content knowledge, successfully predicting what was up ahead in our math learning journey. Without effective teaching strategies, or pedagogy, however, this content knowledge and any technology skills I had would be of little use. A teacher's effectiveness in today's world largely depends on the ability to grow in, and integrate all three of these domains into one's teaching practice, especially in the world of virtual learning. The balance of all three of these elements looks different in each particular grade level and community of learners. Older and younger students need different content knowledge, different pedagogical strategies, and different levels of technology integration and skills in order to succeed in learning. Keeping these three components and their balanced integration at the forefront of the teaching practice is what leads to success in learning for students of all ages.
8 Comments
Sheri
3/21/2021 07:03:09 pm
I LOVE what you said about how a teacher's effectiveness lies in their ability to grow and integrate TPACK in the appropriate ways for a variety of students. You absolutely nailed this TPACK blog!
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Minna Nummelin
3/24/2021 11:12:22 pm
Thanks, Sheri!
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Dustin Green
3/23/2021 09:39:54 am
Minna,
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Minna Nummelin
3/24/2021 11:11:03 pm
I like the new verb! - TPACKING. I'm not sure if I've got it fine tuned yet. Kids and circumstances seem to change quite frequently. I know we've all experienced that.
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Lynda Bergner
3/24/2021 09:24:16 am
Minna, Like you I struggled in the beginning, and I too am still trying to Doggie-paddle my way through technology. I agree that it is important to incorporate all 3 components into a balanced classroom practice. I think that different students need a different balance, so being able to modify the balance for each student is important for each students learning and growth. I am glad that elementary schools are still doing paper/pencil tasks, I think that they are incredibly important and help our students' brains make connections that digital tasks cannot. I use a lot of pencil and paper tasks in my classroom as well, not only does it help students brain make connections, it is a bit easier to check their work on the spot, and it is easier to make sure that they are on task and haven't strayed away to a website that theyre not supposed to be on during class. =)
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Minna Nummelin
3/24/2021 11:08:45 pm
Absolutely. Paper and pencil work can be so important for the brain. I find that kids get a lot out of sketching and writing when done correctly. Right now, strangely, it can be easy to ask them to type everything so it's prettier for me to look at but I know the real work is being done when they take a photo of their notebook (pencil writing) instead. You've got quite a task to figure out the TPACK balance for all your different leveled students. Kudos to you!
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3/24/2021 09:12:10 pm
I love the image of dog paddling through technology! Yes, last school year was tough in the beginning of the shutdown. I was teaching reading to the lowest performing first graders. I remember what a struggle it was because the families didn't sit with the students like they do now. These kiddos were left to just us teaching them how to use their Chromebooks from afar. Now, when I sub in the lower grades, I see kindergartners able to mute and unmute respectfully, and learn in a way I've never seen. What a time to be teaching!
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Minna Nummelin
3/24/2021 11:06:16 pm
Isn't it amazing!? I would have never thought it possible before.
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Minna NummelinLife-long learner and dual language 2nd grade teacher. Archives
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