TPACK

Framework for Technology Integration

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

How students learn is changing. Our classrooms and instruction must reflect that change. Part of that change is the integration of technology into the curriculum. However, just adding technology to instruction is not the solution. Another part of that change is we need to move from teachers presenting information, to students actively participating in their learning through projects, collaborating with others, and creating original work. Technology can assist in this change, but where do we start? That's where TPACK comes in.

There are three main components to TPACK.

• Technology Knowledge (TK)
• Pedagogical Knowledge (PK)
• Content Knowledge (CK)

Technology Knowledge consists of the technology tools and how they can be used. Pedagogical Knowledge is knowing how to teach others or help others learn. Content Knowledge is the understanding of a particular subject. In the traditional classroom, most instruction would fall where pedagogy and content intersect, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). In other words, the teacher uses their knowledge of teaching others or helping others learn along with their knowledge about the content being presented, to develop and design their units of instruction. As technology is added to the instruction it is important to keep everything balanced. Technology should not be the focus of instruction or overpower it. Technology should be a tool to facilitate learning. Instruction that falls where Content, Pedagogy, and Technology intersect (TPACK), will result in balanced instruction where all aspects are considered together during unit design. TPACK allows educators to keep all areas of knowledge in mind during unit design, rather than focusing on them separately.

The SITE 2008 Keynote presentation by Matthew Koehler and Punya Mishra show how TPACK impacts education and why that is important. They share their refrain: "Teaching with technology is a WICKED problem. Wicked problems require CREATIVE solutions. Teachers are designers of the Total PACKage!"

TPACK Resources

There are abundant resources available regarding TPACK and its current implementation. TPACK.org provides an interactive online community with access to informative videos, TPACK newsletters, TPACK resources, and an Answer and Question Section to promote dialogue regarding the implementation of TPACK. The Public Schools of North Carolina's wiki features a page Exploring TPACK and provides resources for learning about TPACK and examples of implementation in multiple content areas. Blogger, writer, and author, Lisa Nielsen, shares on her award winning blog "The Innovative Educator" how Henrico County School System uses TPACK  technology integration and assessment.

Imagine if...
all teachers, from preservice to veteran, had the opportunity to learn about TPACK this year. Could even the awareness of TPACK and how it facilitates learning, change practice? Would that change impact student achievement?