My TPACK Journey

My TPACK Journey

TPACK is technological pedagogical and content knowledge. This is the knowledge that individuals such as teachers can develop and use to assist them in teaching and integrating technology into the classroom. Teachers need to develop an understanding in content knowledge and pedagogy practices in order to support their own learning.

Living in the 21^st century it is imperative that teachers are integrating technology into the classroom and educating students on how technology works and safe practices. But before teachers can begin to educate their students they need to be knowledgeable in the subject area. Teachers have to determine the balance between what to teach vs. the best way to teach. Teachers need to determine which technological tools will best support their learners and the content being taught.

The following is a PDF on my TPACK Journey

REFLECTION

EDUC8Y24 has exposed me to the concept of TPACK. As a teacher candidate it is important we learn how to use technology and understand when it is appropriate to integrate technology into the classroom/ lessons.

Through my TPACK journey I have learned that TPACK cannot be learned in isolation. Instead, it needs to be an ongoing, lifelong learning process. This means, teachers need to be willing to continue exploring and staying up to date with technology, how these devices operate and how appropriate each device is to learning.

For example, in my block placement I depended on my students to help educate me on Smart board technology. As teachers we need to be willing to create learning environments where teachers and students work together to use and understand different technological tools. My students helped my to navigate the program and it was my responsibility as an educator to explore the technology and determine which lessons the technology could be used to support students learning such as using the smart board during math lessons. This allowed students to visually see the information/ lesson being taught and provided student with an opportunity to interact (manipulate the board), problem solve and present their findings using assistive technology.