Cooking with TPACK

Creating a cooking video without the choice in what I was going to prepare along with predetermined kitchen utensils—cheese grater, small container, and wooden spoon—was an enlightening experience. It reminded me of how as a teacher, I often select content and tools students must use in my classroom without giving them a choice. The cheese grater, repurposed to slice eggs, proved more effective than I anticipated.  

However, what happens when students are given tools they’re unfamiliar with? Just as I felt frustrated using a broken cheese grater and using Adobe editing tools, students often experience similar challenges, especially using technologies. This frustration can hinder learning, highlighting the importance of providing adequate support and resources to help them navigate novel tools.  

Moreover, not every student has access to the same technology. Creating a video project might be daunting for those without access to computer programs, similar to how I struggled with limited kitchen tools. This disparity underscores the need for equitable access to technology in education.  While it can make life easier and more efficient, we must remain mindful of its potential to disempower (Winner, 1980).