Week 5

Week 5 Reflection

This week a decision was need to be made in relation to balance.  With the overwhelming load of commitments to personal/family life, health, work and university study, something had to give.  This week it was university study.  I decided not to attend the lecture and tutorial based on my state of health.  I am sure there was an abundance of exciting new concepts and practices delivered.  I will catch up with everything from the other blogs and discussion board – thanks team!

TPACK

Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge.

It is becoming more obvious that planning for student learning can be somewhat challenging.

Planning should incorporate the full spectrum of curriculum, appropriate pedagogy and incorporate technologies suitable for the learning outcomes.  The use of powerful technologies will of course enhance student engagement and learning but will not accomplish the holistic learning achievements with the primary focus being technologies.  TPACK requires a unique blend of the correct curriculum (content) with the correct pedagogical method enhanced with powerful technology tools.  As you can see by the diagram presented by Harris and Hoffer (2009), it is the seamless balance and integration of all three aspects.

Harris and Hoffer (2009) also identify that the majority of teachers that want to incorporate educational technologies into curriculum-based teaching and learning start with selecting the digital tools and tools first.  This method is referred to as “Technocentric” learning where the focus is upon the use of technologies being used, more than the individual students who are using them in an endeavour to learn.  Rather the reverse must be adopted.  We must strategically guide students to think, create, critically analyse and reflect along their learning path.

 What I believe must be established is balance and cohesiveness!

References

Harris, J., & Hofer, M. (2009). Instructional planning activity types as vehicles for curriculum-based TPACK development. In C. D. Maddux, (Ed.). Research highlights in technology and teacher education 2009 (pp. 99-108). Chesapeake, VA:  Retrieved April 6, 2011 from http://activitytypes.wmwikis.net/file/view/HarrisHofer-TPACKActivityTypes.pdf