TPACK - on my own word

Two months ago, one CIMA student who was  joined his master program for 2009/2010, explained about the TPACK on his last defense of his thesis work . At the time, I have been there to attend the session and I heard the first time what TPACK mean. More or less, I have got an idea even though with some confusion. Now, I thought,  it is my turn to explain what TPACK mean, from what I have learned so far, during  the lecture and reading some articles. Moreover, I am very glad to  post on my weblog,  an explanation of what  TPACK means  and some details based on my own word.

TPACK- an abbreviation for Technological Pedagogical & content Knowledge-  is mainly focus on the required knowledge for a  Teacher on his subject matter (Content), pedagogy and the way how to integrate with the required Technology. In this case, it may be necessary to raise the issue of knowledge in each of the area (Content, Pedagogy & Technology). To make it easy, Let us take an example of one Technical school giving “Maintenance & Repair”  as a main course and a teacher is responsible to give a topic “basic assembly and disassembly” for one week. In order to effectively address the subject matter to students with the required skill & knowledge, the teacher should be capable and competent in the following areas.   

First, the teacher should be more familiar, expert and also multi-dimensional  on how to assemble & disassemble variety of mechanical parts in order to properly address for his students. He should be more experienced in both the concepts, procedures, theoretical & practical aspect of the topic, so that for any raised questions & problems he is there. This will assure how much the teacher’s content knowledge (CK) is.  The second important point is, the capacity to choose effective and may be easiest  method to address the course to the students, so that the students can acquire the required skill & knowledge. In this case, the teacher need to have knowledge about the methods, how to manage the classroom, how to prepare lesson plan and how to evaluate his students. This is clearly meant Pedagogical Knowledge (PK). The kind of instructional media (Technology) become the next issue where the teacher need to know to effectively address his lesson. In the case of traditional pedagogical approach, the teacher may use chalk, books & blackboard and he may be expert on how to operate them. In addition, in practical session, he may show the students in laboratory on how to assemble & disassemble parts (real situation). On the other hand, he may choose another way of using technology, like showing the students by using simulation techniques, or different medias. Whatever it is, the main point is weather the teacher is capable and familiarize with that technology or not, so that he can be flexible with the different pedagogical approaches. It can be how to operate computer, how to use different software, how to manage the right kind of software and may be devices. This clearly tells us what Technological knowledge (TK) mean.

The teacher need to know, not only the subject matter he teach, but also how could he use different kinds of technology applications. The teacher can choose different kinds of simulation applications to address his subject for his students in different ways. To do this he need to have Technological Content Knowledge (TCK). Using different ways of pedagogical approach for the specified subject & choosing an appropriate technology i.e. web technology, chat room, discussion forum, etc. to address the chosen approach needs the teacher’s Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK). On the other hand, the teaching approach need to fit with the content of what the teacher learn the students. In this case, the teacher will be expected to have knowledge on choosing the right pedagogical approach for the specified type of content and this shows the teacher’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK).

Finally, TPACK which means, the technological pedagogical and content knowledge where a teacher need to cope up with, to integrate an appropriate technology in his educational system for the better attainment of his specified goal.  The knowledge  about his subject matter (content), the knowledge how to choose different methods and approaches based on the content and the knowledge on how to choose the required technology based on both the subject matter & learning approach and the knowledge how to use & operate that technology to foster the required skill & knowledge for his students, in short mean TPACK.