TPACK, technological pedagogy and content knowledge, is essential for the classroom today. In todays society, technology is more essential than student knowledge. Because of the internet any information can be accessed within seconds on a Google search; in order to survive in the ever so changing world one needs to know how to use the resource of the web. What we should be teaching in schools today is how to find something on the internet, how to research, how to learn to adapt. Yes, content is important and needs to be taught regardless of technology; however, technology is our greatest resource and should be used and relied on.
The purpose of high school is to prepare you for life and for college. Today, college requires an understanding and usage of technology. In order to prepare students for this jump from paper to digital teachers need to teach, with expertise, ways of using tech. At BYU-Idaho all the classes have their content online; At this college you turn in your homework on a website you created or on the class website to be graded digitally (even math).
the argument against technology that it is relied on to much is valid, but it does not change the fact that one will have to use it in their life. Computers are the next generation and we need to help our students prepare for life. TPACK is a program and concept that we need to learn and implement in order to teach technology for this preparation.
I think students need to learn about technology, but more importantly where to find scholarly material on the web. I think some students often struggle with their work because everything is so easily available on the web. Students often fail because their research is not scholarly enough. By teaching students which websites and databases are best for school, we can set them up to succeed.
ReplyDeleteIn order to keep up with the world, technology is something that we all need to learn how to use. This can help in each classroom with the usage of teachers implementing them to students. This extends students learning as well as the teachers knowledge of technology. By implementing the TPACK, teachers will become knowledgeable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that the argument against technology is a very valid one. I feel as future educators we need to be able to find a balance. Technology is too valuable to just ignore. Without proper knowledge students will be behind when they enter the grown up world.
ReplyDeleteIt is important for the students to know the material before technology is introduced into the problem. If the students do not know the material then they will have a harder time with technology. Teachers should put the two together to further the students knowledge.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is definitely the future, and it is very important for students to learn how to use technology so that they are proficient. This will benefit them greatly in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely important that we prepare our students to use technology whenever necessary and possible. I know that still today there are things that I don't know how to do on the computer that many others learned in high school. Technology is invaluable in education and in life anymore. The better prepared we are to use it, the better and easier our professional lives will be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment in which you say any information can be accessed within seconds. TPACK is a great framework to be able to deal with our technology based world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that student knowledge is more essential than technology. As educators, we must be sure that are students know content before technology is ever introduced. For instance, if there is an app or website where the students need to name the states in the United States, but the student has no idea where California is located or Washington D.C. how will that help him academically? Either way, I am glad that you found TPACK useful for your future classroom(s)!
ReplyDeleteI understand your point, but why do we need to know where California is? what is the purpose of it? We have everything we need on gps or the internet. What we do need to know is how to find out where it is.
DeleteFrom an ag standpoint, I think that a strong understanding in content knowledge is key. Yes technology can help with that, but the students need to be able to display the knowledge in a practical setting as well in an assessment form.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right from any standpoint, with the main classes, math, science, english, ag, spanish, etc. My point is that tech is becoming more and more useful and we dontt necessarily need to know these things, it is better to know to them of course. good comment and well put. thanks
DeleteTeacher education programs are trying to teach today’s preservice teachers how to use the wide range of technologies – from old-school software and tools such as PowerPoint, videos and laptops to those ubiquitous tablets and smartphones – as classroom tools, not just as social devices for communicating with friends or playing games.
ReplyDeleteBut because of rapid technological change, the need to fit more class requirements into a curriculum already filled with state-mandated courses, and the hiring practices of schools recruiting new teachers, many teachers colleges are finding it difficult to integrate technology education into their teacher preparation programs.
The result is a “to each its own” approach to teacher education, as the teaching colleges strive to work technology in without taking content and pedagogy out. Presently schools of education develop their own technology-based curricula that build on best practices in the field, in compliance with the recognized standards in the profession.
I did the research regarding TPACK in WVU and am applying and experimenting the Technology curriculum based on my research and the vision from our program. I hope all of you can implement what you have learn from TPACK as you become the teacher from my ongoing experiments in our class!
I love reading your responses to other's posts! Great job!!
I agree that students need to be prepared for life, and technology is a large part of that; however, I do think that content knowledge is extremely important, and can also prepare you for life in the same way that being able to conduct research online may provide. I grew up without much technology at my fingertips, and feel that I was more than prepared for life after high school, even without my knowledge of technology...I do not think that technology makes us prepared for life necessarily, but I do agree with you in that students need to be taught the proper ways to research information online--but they should also be made aware of the fact that there are thousands of other resources, like books (which always helped me with my research back in the day) that can also assist them. Technology is extremely useful, I agree, but I do not think it is the "be all, end all" of society, and shouldn't take the place of hands on experiences and other meaningful learning activities which don't require technology.
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