Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is a framework to understand and describe the kinds of knowledge needed by a teacher for effective pedagogical practice in a technology enhanced learning environment.
At my school, technology seems to be so ever present. But in my Read 180 class, the program is so structured and scripted, there aren't many times when I can incorporate technology other than the daily minutes they are supposed to spend on the Read 180 software. I try to see how I can adjust projects within the units to bring in the elements of technology to help build engagement and technological skills. For example, an end of unit project prompted kids to come up with an idea for a movie, and I had them create a pitch for it and record it to "send off to movie producers" [aka me]. Just that element alone helped give the project a new reality, and they got more into the project.
With a school that is so project based, it is hard to work without technology. The PBL units teachers create engage students and give them real world problems to be involved in. I have seen the ideas students have come up with, and heard the discussions they've had, but having technology be as prevalent as it is can make things incredibly difficult. Many students get distracted by having the internet world at their fingertips. They often get caught playing games, chatting with other students, or using the technology inappropriately. It is a price we have to pay to do these projects. We need to keep a watch on the students, and monitor their technology usage.
At my school, technology seems to be so ever present. But in my Read 180 class, the program is so structured and scripted, there aren't many times when I can incorporate technology other than the daily minutes they are supposed to spend on the Read 180 software. I try to see how I can adjust projects within the units to bring in the elements of technology to help build engagement and technological skills. For example, an end of unit project prompted kids to come up with an idea for a movie, and I had them create a pitch for it and record it to "send off to movie producers" [aka me]. Just that element alone helped give the project a new reality, and they got more into the project.
With a school that is so project based, it is hard to work without technology. The PBL units teachers create engage students and give them real world problems to be involved in. I have seen the ideas students have come up with, and heard the discussions they've had, but having technology be as prevalent as it is can make things incredibly difficult. Many students get distracted by having the internet world at their fingertips. They often get caught playing games, chatting with other students, or using the technology inappropriately. It is a price we have to pay to do these projects. We need to keep a watch on the students, and monitor their technology usage.