Blog

1/15/19

In a classroom, a teacher must show three main forms of knowledge. The first is content knowledge (the subject matter), second is the pedagogy (the teaching), and third is technology (the tools). In the classroom, is an effective teacher able to use all three forms of knowledge? Yes, it is possible through TPACK, which was framework developed by Matthew James Koehler and Punya Mishra. TPACK is the integration of content, pedagogy, and technology (the sweet spot). According to Mishra and Koehler's (2008) Thinking creatively: Teachers as designers of technology, pedagogy and content, teachers need to rethink their instruction in the classroom and begin to use all three in their daily teaching.

This week I had to “cook with TPACK,” where I needed to construct a peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich. For the sandwich, my husband selected one plate, one bowl, and one kitchen utensil. Sounds easy enough, right? What could go wrong when constructing a PB&J sandwich? I soon realized the importance of utilizing ALL possible tools that were available to me. TPACK requires us to think about “repurposing… because most technologies that teachers use typically have not been designed for educational purposes” (Mishra and Koehler, 2009, p. 16). As a first grade teacher, I have found myself using technology as "fluff" or a "filler" in our school day. I would assign spelling games, math facts, and other cool website for my students to use. I was giving them technology, right? Now as I think about TPACK, I need to change my thinking about technology and the tools in my classroom. How can my students use technology, while also learning in an effective way?

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