TPACK

(Common Sense Education, 2014)


The TPACK model integrates three different types of knowledge integral to the teaching profession. Content and pedgogical knowledge intersect and overlap to create the art of teaching, but TPACK introduces technical knowledge as a third layer to the framework. Consider the following illustration:

(Kohler, n. d,)

There are actually seven different areas of the TPACK framework. The traditional "art of teaching" area is the green sliver made up of the overlapping of pedagogical and content knowledge. Superb learning occurs when a teacher knows the content and knows how best to teach it. With the ubiquitous nature of technology, though, educators must not only be knowledgeable about technology, but proficient in using it to teach. 

The dark green "sweet spot" is the aim of any teacher using the TPACK framework. This is where the mastery art of teaching is transformed by technology to foster learning in ways that were once unimaginable. Any of the seven areas in the model can spur learning, but only in the dark green middle is education truly transformative.

This is not an easy bullseye to hit, though. Lots of time and effort goes to working toward the sweet spot. In fact, it can create a lot of self-doubt and frustration.

Illustrated by the image at left is the amount of time devoted to integrating technology in relation to its visibility. Substitution-tier tech creates a lot of visibility, but there exists a fairly steep dropoff once teachers move into the augmentation tier. It is not until students begin regularly learning "above the line" that visibility increase again, and even then, it is at a much slower pace.
(Klapdor, n. d.)

The trick for teachers is to stay with technology long enough to reach transformative levels. This will always be accompanied by a ride through the trough of disillusionment, almost like a rite of passage. But it will be worth it to be consistently in that sweet spot.

References

Common Sense Education. (2014, November 3). Introduction to the TPACK model [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmRw_wARuMk

Klapdor, T. (n. d.) SAMR time-visibility slope [Image]. Retrieved from http://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/samr-visibility-time.jpg

Kohler, M. (n. d.). The TPACK image [image]. Retrieved from: http://tpack.org