TPACK

Reproduced by permission of the publisher, © 2012 by tpack.org

I was first introduced to TPACK as an undergraduate studying Elementary Education at Iowa State University in a class I took with Denise Schmidt-Crawford. I am now covering it in my graduate course with Dr Zeitz, check out his blog post on the topic! The TPACK framework is based on three forms of knowledge: Content(CK), Pedagogy(PK) and Technology(TK). TPACK also emphasizes the knowledge that is created when the different types of knowledge intersect. To the right is a picture from TPACK which shows the relationship of the different knowledge types and how they intersect and relate to each other. Even when I was an undergrad I really liked this framework because it shows the different areas that need to come together when creating a successful lesson and classroom. I like how it does not just focus on the content and pedagogical knowledge a teacher must have, but also the knowledge on what to do with the technology. This is a framework that can be used in the classroom to help ensure the teacher is teaching correctly, covering the content and using the technology in a beneficial manner.

Two minute videos are really the hype in education right now! So go ahead and watch this two minute video to help introduce you to TPACK!

This is a video Rural Texas Elementary School successfully planning a lesson while thinking about the TPACK framework. It includes a short description on TPACK and then continues with a lesson created by Ms. Herrigton and Ms. Flores. During this lesson Ms. Herrigton will bring her expertise on content and pedagogical knowledge and Ms. Flores focuses on the technological knowledge. Together they create a successful lesson using the TPACK framework.

The next activity is a web-quest and can be found on Zunal and was created by Kim Young for students in 6th-8th grade. The students will participate in  learning about climbing Mount Everest through a web-quest. This is a great activity where the content, teaching and technology have been carefully thought out. This is a great activity framed around TPACK where the students are able to participate in something which is meaningful and will engage them on the topic.

Reflection is an important part to learning and teaching. Here is an example of an ePortfolio a 6th grader created and then posted using Vimeo. This is an activity that could be implemented using the TPACK framework. This creates a unique opportunity where the lessons individually can be created using TPACK, knowing the culminating lesson would be to reflect on the year as a whole. Being able to reflect and create a portfolio to show off skills is a life long skill.

When researching more on the practical applications with TPACK I found a great resource on EduBlog, which has TPACK iPad Project in Schools (TIPS). This is an area where teachers can go and look at different iPad projects that have been completed with the TPACK framework. It is important to remember the thought and consideration needed to be laid out for the content, pedagogical and technology aspects of the lesson. Simply adding the technology will not create a lesson with the foundation of the TPACK framework. 

If you are wanting to learn more about TPACK, they have a wonderful website where you can start to learn more about the framework while learning how to move towards implementing it in your classroom. http://www.tpack.org/