Investigating TPACK: Knowledge Growth in Teaching with Technology

Abstract

Technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) presents a dynamic framework for describing teachers' knowledge required for designing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum and instruction with technology. TPACK strategic thinking includes knowing when, where, and how to use domain-specific knowledge and strategies for guiding students' learning with appropriate information and communication technologies. Multiple visual and verbal descriptions reflect evolving recognitions of teacher educators and educational researchers as they have struggled to respond to the challenges in describing and developing teachers' TPACK. This extensive reflection maps the historical acceptance of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) with the emerging views of and challenges with TPACK. A review of empirical progress in the investigation of TPACK serves to illuminate potential insights, values, and challenges for directing future educational implementations designed to identify a teacher's learning trajectory in the development of a more robust and mature TPACK for supporting them in teaching with current and emerging technologies.New and emerging digital technologies are more accessible for incorporation in educational programs with increased access and societal uses in day-to-day actions. Teachers are confronted with challenges and questions of how and when to incorporate such technologies for teaching and learning various subject matter topics. Rather than focusing on the features, affordances, and constraints 299

Developing and Validating Model of Teacher Quality Using Structural Equation Modeling (Sem) Technique

“…Niess (2011) pointed that teachers need knowledge skills in the classroom setting to orchestrate teaching methods, learners' development and learners' reliance as well. The result stated that in order to provide for quality education, teachers' knowledge of subject matter is a paramount factor to be put into consideration.…”

“…In light of that, Niess (2011) found that teachers need to show their skills while teaching in the classroom such as knowledge of subject matter, knowledge of learners' development, and organization of teaching methods. These skills will definitely improve both the teachers' students' performance in the classroom environment.…”

Determining the Impact of an Integrated Triadic Model on TPACK Development in Preservice Teachers

“…The foundation for this type of decision-making originates with learning experiences in a teacher education program. Niess (2011) stated that the "instructional methods, lesson planning, classroom management, and even student practicum experiences needs to be re-envisioned with a recognition of the impact and influence of technologies as well as other resources" (p. 309). If teachers are to effectively integrate technology for the improvement of student learning, teacher education programs must provide opportunities for preservice teachers to develop the abilities, strategies, and awareness related to teaching with present and future technologies (Niess, 2008).…”

“…Mishra and Koehler (2006) believe that the development of TPACK in preservice teachers needs to be a "critical goal" (p. 1046) of teacher education programs. Various approaches to developing TPACK such as learning technology by design (Koehler & Mishra, 2005) and learning activity types (Harris & Hofer, 2009) exist, but more are needed to better understand how preservice teachers develop TPACK (Niess, 2011). Most often, teacher educators and researchers apply single approaches in stand-alone instructional technology courses.…”

“…Whether conducted in workshop or course format, "emphasis is placed on learning by doing, and less so on overt lecturing and traditional teaching" (Mishra & Koehler, 2006, p. 1035. Other approaches emerged using learning activity types, instructional modeling, and self-assessment (Niess, 2011), yet few studies have combined TPACK-supported approaches to enhance existing methods courses in a teacher education program.…”