Chris Toy is known in the international school scene for providing excellent workshops on leadership, teaching and learning and technology. I was really excited to sit in one of his workshops that talked about Effective Technology Integration. In the workshop, he shared 3 models of technology integration as described by the ISTE - TPCK (Technology, Pedagogy, Content, Knowledge) model, SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) and TIM (Technology Integration Matrix).
In this blog entry, I will highlight the TPCK model just because I feel that it is the simplest model of Technology integration that any teacher can follow. In our school, technology is still taught as a separate class so using this model in daily lesson planning will really be beneficial especially for teachers who are new to the concept of integration.
In this blog entry, I will highlight the TPCK model just because I feel that it is the simplest model of Technology integration that any teacher can follow. In our school, technology is still taught as a separate class so using this model in daily lesson planning will really be beneficial especially for teachers who are new to the concept of integration.
TPCK model of integrated teaching
In a nutshell, PCK is the integration of your knowledge of subject matter content with a pedagogical knowledge of teaching and learning while T is the integration of technology into the subject. The four components of TPCK starts with a teacher deciding why this subject matter is important to teach, and how a teacher can use technology to enhance the learning. Secondly, teachers must have a plan of how the lesson will come together with technology. The next component is a teacher must know what the students already know and how they think, to learn with technology. Lastly, a teacher must have knowledge of curriculum and the materials that merge "technology with learning in the subject area. In essence, when a teacher plans a lesson, it needs to be thought out thoroughly with the use of technology. The students are growing up in an age where it will be hard to get a job without computer experience. The opportunity to use technology opens doors to their future in this age of information. (Johanna Mayer)
During the workshop, Chris asked us to think of any subject content that we had taught or will be teaching. Then, he told us to choose one learning pedagogy we would like to use to teach our content. Lastly, he asked us to choose one technology tool that we think could help us enhance our teaching. He gently reminded us that technology does not replace teaching, it enhances ones teaching. The TPCK model gives teachers a way to restructure the way lessons are planned. This is a very useful table to use when planning:
In a nutshell, PCK is the integration of your knowledge of subject matter content with a pedagogical knowledge of teaching and learning while T is the integration of technology into the subject. The four components of TPCK starts with a teacher deciding why this subject matter is important to teach, and how a teacher can use technology to enhance the learning. Secondly, teachers must have a plan of how the lesson will come together with technology. The next component is a teacher must know what the students already know and how they think, to learn with technology. Lastly, a teacher must have knowledge of curriculum and the materials that merge "technology with learning in the subject area. In essence, when a teacher plans a lesson, it needs to be thought out thoroughly with the use of technology. The students are growing up in an age where it will be hard to get a job without computer experience. The opportunity to use technology opens doors to their future in this age of information. (Johanna Mayer)
During the workshop, Chris asked us to think of any subject content that we had taught or will be teaching. Then, he told us to choose one learning pedagogy we would like to use to teach our content. Lastly, he asked us to choose one technology tool that we think could help us enhance our teaching. He gently reminded us that technology does not replace teaching, it enhances ones teaching. The TPCK model gives teachers a way to restructure the way lessons are planned. This is a very useful table to use when planning:
Some examples that the participants came up with were:
1. Teaching about space using demonstration and enhancing the lesson by skyping with an astronaut from NASA.
2. Teaching the Spanish language using simulation and enhancing the lesson by letting students create video tutorials in Spanish.
3. Teaching Hygiene in health education through lecture and enhancing the lesson by letting students create a photo essay on hygiene problems and tips throughout a school day using their digital camera.
4. Teaching weight lifting through demonstration and enhancing the lesson by letting students create an ebook on weightlifting tips to upload on public websites.
The TPCK model is so simple and easy to use. I really like that it pushes teachers to make connections and dig deeper into effective integration. I cannot wait to share this information with my colleagues!
1. Teaching about space using demonstration and enhancing the lesson by skyping with an astronaut from NASA.
2. Teaching the Spanish language using simulation and enhancing the lesson by letting students create video tutorials in Spanish.
3. Teaching Hygiene in health education through lecture and enhancing the lesson by letting students create a photo essay on hygiene problems and tips throughout a school day using their digital camera.
4. Teaching weight lifting through demonstration and enhancing the lesson by letting students create an ebook on weightlifting tips to upload on public websites.
The TPCK model is so simple and easy to use. I really like that it pushes teachers to make connections and dig deeper into effective integration. I cannot wait to share this information with my colleagues!