What can TPCK do for us?

To achieve a successful and effective classroom there must be the interaction of three key elements, content, pedagogy and technology (Mishra & Koehler). This article highlighted the importance of not only understanding but becoming completely competent in these three components. The deep understanding of these concepts and how they intertwine enables the teacher to apply them in a diverse way to construct content specific strategies to achieve higher learning outcomes. For many, incorporating the TPCK framework is a daunting prospect and one that requires self-reflection and an adjustment of beliefs, teaching styles and personal abilities. The difficulties perceived with this topic have the potential of making it even more difficult for educators to become versed in the ways of integrating technology into the classroom. With the provision of the correct expertise and support the transition required to implement successful interplay between content, pedagogy and technology teachers should be able to accept this change much more readily. It would be a remiss of teachers to be aware of a framework that would provide enhanced learning opportunities for students and not implement it in their classroom.

A key ideal that has been taught throughout this course is to engage the learner in a meaningful way. This concept needs to be applied to educating teachers on how to view content, pedagogy and technology as one seamless idea. It would be beneficial for teachers to view the change that is required in their classroom in an authentic way instead of believing that it is just an order from some upper echelon of the education system that has a skewed view of what is required in our schools. Teachers need to comprehend the value of technology within the education system.

The implementation of this concept in the construction of this online course has resulted in our peers being able to partake in connectivism and extend and refine our knowledge on a wide variety of topics.

The students that are coming through our classes today are digital natives and as such teachers should recognise this and use the language that these students are used to conversing in. 

Here is a clip that discusses digital natives in a way that proves what technology can do for education. Think afterward whether you were engaged whilst watching this clip and if it is likely that you will remember this for longer than you would if you read an article on it. I know that I certainly will. 

This clip even proved how ingrained technology is in our society – there were little icons, symbols and words throughout it that did not have to be explained as it is believed that the knowledge to critical analyse this and understand what it means is common knowledge – such as the blue bird holding the ‘follow me’ sign. How many people unconsciously knew that it was referring to twitter?

The implementation of the TPCK framework within classrooms would prove beneficial to all concerned, assist in students academic achievement and increase their enjoyment in their education.