Prior to this class I had only heard the term TPACK in passing.

I knew it had something

to do with technology and teaching but I didnt have a real understanding of what it was
and how it was to be incorporated in the classroom.
After taking this class though I believe I have a full understanding of TPACK and how it
can be used to guide your teaching. The concept of TPACK is based on the notion of a
teacher using technological pedagogical content knowledge as a framework to guide
their instruction while effectively integrating technology.
In the paper !Teachers Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and "earning
Activity Types# Curriculum$based Technology Integration %eframed the authors write
that !TPACK emphasi&es the connections among technologies curriculum content and
specific pedagogical approaches demonstrating how teachers understandings of
technology pedagogy and content can interact with one another to produce effective
discipline$based teaching with educational technologies.
The important concept to take away from that statement is that all three parts of TPAC '
technology pedagogy and content ' need to be connected in order for it to be effective.
It is not enough for a teacher to (ust have content knowledge or (ust technological
knowledge or even to have the two of those combined. An effective instructor that is
implementing TPAC needs to have knowledge of all three parts and how they work
together.
)ut how do you implement TPAC in the classroom* +hat steps do you take when
planning a lesson*
A teachers first step is looking at the content and deciding what they want their
students to learn. They then can move on to the pedagogy and determine the best way
for the students to access the information. ,inally they can decide what types of
technology can be used to help the students access the content in a way that is
conducive to their learning style.
It is often asked of teachers and students in education whether they support a
constructivist or ob(ectivist approach. I believe that it is a teachers (ob to not (ust teach
students content but to teach them !how to learn. I think the best way to accomplish that
is by !doing which by definition would make me a constructivist.
,or e-ample in this class I had a much better understanding of TPAC and what it was
once we were able to apply it in the classroom. In my third$grade classroom I have seen
how effective web .uests and group pro(ects using /oogle Apps can be in enhancing
student understanding.
)ut at the same time no two students are the same. The constructivist approach might
not work for every learner or for every topic. I think there times when an ob(ectivist
approach is more appropriate. I have seen teachers use software programs in 0ath that
have helped students learn their math facts.
An effective teacher is one that is able to understand the needs of his or her students
and then ad(ust their instruction based on those needs. 1ometimes that might mean
using a constructivist approach. 1ometimes that might mean using an ob(ectivist
approach. It doesnt matter what category it falls into what matters most is that the
students needs are being met.