PCK and TPACK

checkbox2Category to select: B. PCK
Due on Wednesday of Week 5.

The readings below will help you prepare for the level of discussions promoted in this module. The readings encapsulate Shulman’s view of the knowledge of an educator as a specialized and professional knowledge base.

About PCK and TPACK

This knowledge base, in part, is an amalgam of knowledge about pedagogy (P) or the nature of teaching and learning and knowledge about content (C) such as geometry or evolution. PK or pedagogical knowledge might include things like student engagement, time management, access issues and district funding, administration and prep time for teachers. Taken together, he suggested the specialized knowledge of teachers is PCK and differentiated it from general pedagogical knowledge (eg. knowledge about students in general such as their affect, engagement levels, the profession, schools and schooling, or regulatory bodies governing teachers) and content knowledge that might be the purview of experts such as scientists and mathematicians. Rather, PCK includes specialized knowledge of how to teach a particular topic in a particular subject area. PCK includes knowledge of using the blind cave fish example to teach about evolution, knowledge of how to teach geometry, knowledge of using Punnet squares to teach genetics or using force diagrams to teach about opposite forces.

Mishra and Koehler extended this notion of PCK to include technology (T) as a third and important dimension to the work of educators. TK or general technology knowledge includes things like knowledge of interface design, browser compatibility, accessibility. Taken from one of my papers, TPCK or TPACK; however, encompasses that specialized knowledge of how technologies can be used to teach particular concepts, how pedagogical techniques that employ technologies to support the learning of content and development of skills, or how technology can help redress some of the problems with a challenging topic that students face. Over 13 000 dissertations have been written on TPACK. While PK and TK issues are important to some courses, the core focus of discussions in Module B (and C) in this class will be on PCK and TPACK. This means that contributions should focus on PCK throughout this module and illustrate deep thinking about teaching and learning specific concepts or skills in math or science and those activities, with or without technology, that may support aspects of conceptual development about particular topics in math or science.

Readings

Please read the following three papers to orient your contributions for the remaining modules. Discuss PCK and TPACK, your posts will be displayed below.

  • Shulman, L.S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4 -14. Text available on Connect.
  • Shulman, L.S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching. The foundations of a new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1)1-23. Text accessible from Google Scholar.
  • Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. The Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017-1054. Text accessible from Google Scholar.


1. Reflect on the concepts of PCK and TPACK;

2. Share an example of PCK or how you teach a particular concept in your practice (with or without digital technology). Share in advance of the respond by date.

3. Respond to one other blog post with reflections on the idea of PCK and TPACK by Wednesday of Week 5. Check calendar.


TPACK and PCK

Posted by Wanyi Wong on June 16, 2017

Technology Shifts

Posted by Allen Wideman on June 15, 2017

The Evolution of PCK in the Classroom

Posted by jwlewis on

TPACK: Putting it all together

Posted by Cristina Leo on June 14, 2017

PCK/TPACK and the TVT

Posted by momoe on

PCK & TPACK

Posted by seanturn on June 13, 2017

PCK and TPACK

Posted by YooYoung on

Minecraft TPCK

Posted by Derek Cowan on

PCK and TPCK as a math teacher

Posted by Gary Ma on

PCK & TPCK- There Is Theory Behind It!

Posted by Kirsten Ocoin on

Coding support for teachers

Posted by DANIELLE PETERS on

Billy’s Bike Speedometer

Posted by Michael Hengeveld on

TPCK and Spheros

Posted by Natalie Roberts on June 12, 2017

Coding and TPCK

Posted by Sarah Winkler on

Transformation

Posted by Nathan Lott on

Applying Minecraft in STEM

Posted by Jocelynn Mortlock on

Motion Graphs

Posted by Andrew Yeung on

Making the curriculum engaging…

Posted by baljeet gill on

Those Who Can, Do…

Posted by Joshua Elsdon on February 14, 2017

PCK and TPACK in Module B

Posted by samia on February 9, 2017

Transforming Teaching and Learning through PD – {a better late than never posting;)}

Posted by jessica holder on February 6, 2017

The tales of blood – PCK and TPACK

Posted by vibhu vashisht on February 5, 2017

Schulman and PCK Reflections

Posted by Michelle Furlotte on February 4, 2017

Using technology to maximize student learning

Posted by tyler kolpin on February 1, 2017

Subject matter as a “vehicle”: What are you driving?

Posted by Dana Bjornson on