The added value of TPACK

In my post about flexibility I quoted Van den Brande (1993, in Collis & Moonen, 2002, p.9): “There must be more flexibility to meet the needs of the learner through adaptability to different

• learner needs,
• learner patterns and settings,
• and media combinations.”

The development of new technologies offer more possibilities for the realization of flexible learning than ever (Collis & Moonen, 2002). Both statements emphasize that technology is an important factor to realize flexible learning. At the same time this asks more time and effort of teachers than more traditional ways of teaching.

The TPACK framework helps to explain the heavier load that teachers experience, by introducing a new perspective on the role that technology plays in teachers’ knowledge. The framework introduces technological knowledge (TK), technological content knowledge (TCK), technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK) and technology, pedagogy and content knowledge (TPACK) as basic types of knowledge that teachers need.

This implicates that in the professional development of teachers (both during their teacher education as during their teacher career) there should be attention for the way technology influences classroom practice. Perhaps if more attention is paid to this, teachers will further develop TPACK and feel less load when it comes to using technology to support their teaching.

In the course we discussed the use of technologies like Nintendo, IPod, cameras, Wikipedia, GPS and Online Games. One of the important prerequisites for the use of those technologies is that the teacher has knowledge about those technologies (TK).

My post about pedagogies provides examples of situations in which teachers need to know how to use technology in combination with specific pedagogical approaches (TPK).

The TPACK framework adds that it is also important for teachers to know which technologies fit with which content (TCK) and that they know which technologies to use to support specific content taught with specific pedagogical strategies (TPACK).

Basically the TPACK framework helps to embed technology into teaching practice. As Reeves (2009) put it: To be effective pedagogical approaches (as well as content) should not be driven by technology, but supported by technology.

In the post in which I reflect on the combination of the three topics flexibility, pedagogies and technology I ask ‘How can flexible learning and supporting technologies be implemented in such way that learners and teachers benefit most, with the least disadvantages?’ I think it would help a lot if teachers master TPACK. That makes them more flexible in using different approaches for flexible learning and provides them with the knowledge they need to support flexible learning with various technologies.