The TPACK Framework

What is TPACK?

Well, it is referred to as Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. In simple terms, It is about integrating your teaching pedagogy with content knowledge and also technological knowledge.

As teachers in the 21st century, we must be aware of the new technologies and where they can possibly (and sometimes become necessary to) help us in the delivery of our curriculum.  Proposed in 2006 by Mishra and Koehler, TPACK (previously TPCK) became a more developed model from Schulman's concept of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK).  Schulman's PCK model identified that teaching pedagogy and the content knowledge were taught in sync with each other. In stating this, teachers are therefore encouraged to determine the appropriateness of the content and how it well it educates to the students.
Below is a diagram of PCK.

What TPACK now introduces to the above is Technology. Although Schuman's idea of PCK didn't involve technology, it did not mean it was not important  Classrooms have evolved immensely in this sense and its vital for teachers to develop and be able to manipulate their use of TPACK for effective teaching and learning. Below shows the integration of technology to Shuman's PCK.

An example of TPACK could include the content of international business ethics. As the teacher, you may show YouTube videos or even a slide show of how specific countries have different ethics and business practices. You then may ask the student to choose a country and search the Internet or other avenues to find what they can on that country's ethics and what would be appropriate if Australia were to conduct business with that country.  You could then have a discussion or create a table with all the students to determine what they found and compare to other students which may include greetings, etiquette and gestures (what is appropriate and what isn't).
(This was a major component in my year 11 high school class of Business Communication and Technologies)


The way I have summarised and explained TPACK above has given me more of an understanding of what it is and how it is utilised in effective teaching.  (In other words, I have to sometimes find a way to dumb it down to make sense.)  But it helps me :)




References

Mishra, P., & Koehler, M.J. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108 (6), 1017-1054.