Now that teachers have a working knowledge about a handful of technology tools because of the Focus Tools and they are able to identify the pedagogical strategies in which the tools can be integrated, they can now look at the curriculum content to find ways to integrate the technology.
Archive for August, 2011
TPACK and Systemic Integration – The Four C’s of Tech Integration
While much of the focus thus far has been on the tool itself, it now time to look at how to begin integrating them into the curriculum. Looking back at the tool analogy, it is import to remember the absurdity of walking into a room with a power drill and asking what you can use it on. Rather, the more effective method would be to identify the task first, then apply the tool based on what it is you are doing.
TPACK and Systemic Integration – Affordances and Constraints
Once the focus tools are selected, the next step is learning how to learn about and evaluate those tools. To begin, each of the focus tools should be defined. This definition should be detailed enough that someone would have an idea of what the tool is and how it can be used, but concise in that it does not overwhelm a user. The definition should also be shared with students and parents, or made available online for easy access. By creating a simple definition, it begins to create a shared vocabulary that can be used at both home and school.
TPACK and Systemic Integration – Focus Tools
With the advent of Web 2.0 technology and the increasing affordability of mobile devices, it seems that the choices for educational technology tools are virtually limitless. While, this provides teachers with unprecedented access to technology tools, it also creates a challenge for systemic integration of technology. To go back to the tool analogy of hanging a picture with a hammer and nail, with the current technology, it would be as if there were thousands of choices of the type of hammer and nail to accomplish the task.