Who+Can+Use+the+TPACK+model

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= = = = All teachers and school professionals who are interested in integrating technology into teaching and learning can use the TPACK model to assist them. Using the TPACK model is a way to involve teachers, as well as students, in a meaningful and effective technology integration. TPACK requires teachers and administrators to look beyond the main function of technology and develop skills to create and “reconfigure it” for their own pedagogical purposes. Furthermore, TPACK invites technology integrating educators to recognize "affordances" and "constraints" of a given technology in a particular context. For example, Podcasting technology affords personalized Internet broadcasting of audio files and on-demand broadcasting; it does not afford visual effects and easy access as the way radio or TV provides because it requires a computer with Internet connection and/or a portable audio device such as iPod.

By acquiring these essential skills through practices, the technology integrating educators become familiar with possible technologies and become efficient in selecting the right tool for their particular context. Most importantly educators develop a better understanding in the technology related domains of the TPACK model. However, to reach a higher understanding of TPACK and how it works, teachers and administrators have to develop a fluency and cognitive flexibility in all three main components (content, pedagogy and technology) and how these domains interact (as described in the "Interaction of Knowledge" section of this page).

 Planning instruction that is facilitated by use of digital tools and resources can be complex, with each decision determining aspects of other decisions already made or yet to be determined, our work suggests that planning a particular learning event can be described as the end result of five basic instructional decisions:

• Choosing learning goals  • Making practical pedagogical decisions about the nature of the learning experience  • Selecting and sequencing appropriate activity types to combine to form the learning experience  • Selecting formative and summative assessment strategies that will reveal what and how well students are learning  • Selecting tools and resources that will best help students to benefit from the learning experience being planned.

 Our approach to helping teachers to develop TPACK is to suggest that they use curriculum-specific, technology-enhanced learning activity types as the building blocks for instructional planning.

=Affordances and Constraints of Technology =

Affordances and constraints are important factors when approaching the integration of technology. They can exist naturally or be imposed. Affordances allows you to do work or perform tasks while constraints are limitations or restrictions set either by unique qualities or specific circumstances. As educators, we are comfortable with those affordances that we are acquainted with to run our daily classroom. The technology constraints are brought to the forefront because we are stuck in the mindset where a particular technology has a specific function and are not willing to navigate away from this. This functional fixedness prevents us from using technology in a new imaginative manner. Once we are able to recognize that affordances and constraints will always exist with old and new technology, it will become easier to select the appropriate tools to use with each grade level and subject.

As educators and curriculum designers there are a few suggestions to keep in mind while familiarizing yourself with TPACK.


 * 1) Approach-You must have a basic understanding of each knowledge area and their interconnectedness. Knowing about these areas is half the battle; you must also be able to execute your ideas (content, pedagogy, technology) to maximize teaching effectiveness.
 * 2) Aware of spiral-like development- When creating lesson plans including TPACK, design them from the beginning. This will allow you to be able to improve the methods/lesson plan/ideas later and build on them the next time you will be teaching that concept. Teachers also need to understand that TPACK can be applied to the most simple technologies; even as simple as a whiteboard. Therefore, you can start with the most simple technologies that you are familiar with, and move on to the more advanced technologies later. This type of development takes time but it will also help you keep up with the new technology that is coming out. As educators we already go through the steps to find better ways to explain a particular concept and we make corrections to our lesson plans when we find something that works with the students. Using the spiral, like development in the TPACK model involves more planning and a commitment to search new technology that might spark your students' interest.
 * 3) Practice makes perfect- In your own classroom, you are able to test out all the available technologies at your school. This will give you the opportunity to get familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies and will help you in the long run by opening your creative mind to lesson plans or other activities in the TPACK model. It is important not to get discouraged when some technology does not work with the lesson plan you have created. Keep in mind that the more you try to reach the core value of TPACK the closer you will get in accomplishing your goal of effectively using the TPACK model in your classroom.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Collaborate with your colleagues! The strength of two is much better than one. Take time to get together with other staff members at your school who are also working on integrating technology in their classrooms to enhance their lessons. If you take them time to discuss the TPACK model with your colleagues, you will begin to understand it better and use the model more effectively.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">School Administrators and Higher Education Professionals can benefit from incorporating technology in their organization. Technology serves an effective way of training employees and adult leaners. The TPACK model can be resourceful in aiding to teach new technologies to be used in organizations.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do's and Don'ts of TPACK

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do be flexible, open-minded, and creative.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do develop a better understanding of the affordances and constraints inherent to digital technologies.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do consider the rapid growth of technology in society.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do have a backup plan in case the technology does not work.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do be aware of the variety of pedagogical strategies available to teachers.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't approach technologies with your own biases.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't rely on standard approaches.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't think in terms of single solutions.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't think integrating technology has to change your style of teaching.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't give up if the technology integrated lesson plan doesn't work - be motivated to try something else.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't be discouraged to use the one and only computer available
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to make mistakes with technology in front of your students. It is all a learning experience! *Sometimes your students may even be able to help you!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't feel like you are all alone. All staff members will need help digging into the TPACK model no matter how knowledgeable they are in technology.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stay Informed
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since TPACK is dynamic in nature, there is new material coming out regularly. If you are interested in learning more about what is happening with TPACK, you can subscribe to the TPACK newsletter by sending a blank email to sympa@lists.wm.edu, with the following text in the subject line: subscribe TPACK.news FirstName LastName.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> TPACK Newsletters
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> [|TPACK.news I, Jan 09] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> [|TPACK.news II, Feb 09] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|TPACK.news III, May 09]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TPACK in Action
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TPACK can be used at any age level to enhance lessons!

[|TPACK Example]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Changes in TPACK in the classroom and workplace
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helpful Tips for Districts with Limited Resources Integrating Technology with Limited Resources Article