Unpacking TPCK

My understanding of TPCK, (standing for Technological, Pedagogical, Content Knowledge) is that it is a conceptual framework that has been built upon Shulman’s model of ‘pedagogical content knowledge’ (Mishra & Koehler, 2006).  Mishra and Koehler (2006, p. 1020) discuss the historical construction of teacher education, where the focus existed largely on the content knowledge. In more recent times the emphasis of pedagogical practice has emerged and almost taken away the importance of the content knowledge, thus separating the two as mutually exclusive types of knowledge. This is represented in the diagram below sourced from Mishra and Koehler (2006, p. 1020).

 

Shulman highlighted the fact that although you may have exceptional content knowledge in a specific KLA, that doesn’t mean you know how to teach it. Bringing together the content and pedagogical knowledge in the above diagram creates Shulman’s ‘sub group’ called pedagogical-content knowledge, which sees the two as working together, and the ‘how’ to teach content.

The TPCK framework has been developed by Mishra and Koegler (2006) as it is now recognised that quality teaching in this digital age requires not only knowledge of content and how to teach it, but also knowledge of technology, how it relates to content knowledge, and how it can be used to support teaching. Combining all of these three knowledge’s presents a new model, which represents how the three types of knowledge work together to support the teaching of technologically enhance lessons (Mishra & Koehler, 2006).

As highlighted in the model above there are now four subgroups that make up the model for the TPCK framework. The ‘PC’ as highlighted in Shulman’s model represents the pedagogical content knowledge. The ‘TP’ stands for technological-pedagogical knowledge, which represents how technology is used to support teaching. The ‘TC’ stand for technological-content knowledge which incorporates the knowledge of the actual technological tools, but also how they relate to the content knowledge. By effectively blending a selection of appropriate tools (TCK), with appropriate strategies and activities to teach technology enhanced lessons (TCK), the final subgroup (TPCK) is created, which represents the three types of knowledge that are required of teachers in the 21^st century (cbfigg, 2011).  

I believe that the biggest challenge for me in this course is learning about the different digital tools and how they can be use to support my pedagogy. I feel that I can confidently incorporate some digital tools into my classroom, however I have little knowledge of how they relate to the content, nor how they can be used to seamlessly support my pedagogy. I feel that at this stage I have only used them as a tool to present information in more colourful and different ways. My first step towards developing this technological pedagogical content knowledge is to develop the knowledge and the skills needed to effectively utilise a range of digital tools and I hope to achieve that in the next few weeks of this course.

Below I have incorporated two videos that helped me to understand what the TPCK model was about and how each of the knowledge’s works together to enhance teaching. I think that this reflects how I learn visually as I was able to process the information easier as I watched somebody explain and demonstrate the model in steps. The first video is titled ‘TPACK in 3 Minutes’ and shows how information is so readily available –by literally clicking a button. The second video explains TPACK through the use of an avatar a tool that I have used before but am hoping to learn more about in this course also.

cbfigg. (2011, Sep 4). Understanding TPACK [Video file]. Retrieved form http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyDU_3-AH2k&feature=related

Mishra, P. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: a framework for teacher knowledge. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-learning, http://e-courses.cqu.edu.au

roycekimmons. (2011, Mar 22). TPACK in 3 minutes [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGpSaTzW58