The Total PACKage
Image: http://tpack.org/
What is TPACK?
TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge. This model represents the point at which technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge meet and work together to support good teaching practices. This is what is referred to as "the sweet spot" of teaching.
I will use the TPACK framework to join the use of technology (iPads/Apple TV/Video/website) with pedagogy (project-based learning and flipped classroom) to create students that are able to think like scientists through better problem solving and a willingness to see ideas through multiple perspectives in our content area (Earth Science).
TPACK stands for Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge. This model represents the point at which technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge meet and work together to support good teaching practices. This is what is referred to as "the sweet spot" of teaching.
I will use the TPACK framework to join the use of technology (iPads/Apple TV/Video/website) with pedagogy (project-based learning and flipped classroom) to create students that are able to think like scientists through better problem solving and a willingness to see ideas through multiple perspectives in our content area (Earth Science).
Context
Image: freedigitalphotos.net
I teach 8th grade Earth Science in a rural school district in mid-Michigan. Students that successfully pass this course earn high school credit. Earth Science is not offered again at our high school. In 8th grade, our students are assessed with both the MEAP and ACT EXPLORE tests. Our students tend to struggle the most with the questions that ask them to really think like a scientist-- explaining, interpreting and applying scientific knowledge. Due to this, our science department has developed an instructional plan to focus on 5 key strategies in the coming year:
Thanks to the passing of a recent bond in our community, in the coming year every classroom in my district will be equipped with:
- Continue to use/provide/define vocabulary terms on a daily basis.
- Include ACT/Explore type questions for daily practice and on tests.
- Provide more opportunities to analyze graphs and charts.
- Require more written response items citing evidence and using details for support.
- Provide more inquiry and hands-on activities to connect students with materials and application.
Thanks to the passing of a recent bond in our community, in the coming year every classroom in my district will be equipped with:
- a teacher computer (either laptop or desktop),
- a teacher iPad,
- a ceiling-mounted digital projector,
- a wall-mounted LCD flat-screen,
- a document camera and
- two Apple TV devices.