Week Two

Week Two

The second week’s readings have been both insightful and thought provoking.  In their article titled “What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge?” Koehler & Mishra (2009) describe TPACK and how this framework enables teachers to effectively incorporate pedagogy, content and technology into their classroom setting. Koehler et al. (2009) further emphasise the underlying ideals that teachers need to ‘move with the times’ through integrating meaningful technology within their classroom planning, and stress the reason many teachers fail to use ICT is due to time constraints and/or a lack of adequate ICT training. (Koehler et al. (2009). I believe the latter to be true. In my case as the mother of 3 children I am time poor; hence I find I have limited time to interact with the various technologies and to learn more than just the basics.  As a teacher I consider this will be one of my greatest challenges/barriers to incorporating ICT within my classroom.

Another aspect that appears to be an area of concern is ensuring that students are learning more than the basic fundamentals of ICT.   In her paper titled “Generation cut and paste” (2008), Beverley Head stresses “Googling isn’t learning” and that ‘cutting and pasting’ does not adequately teach students how to construct, evaluate and transform information.   Looking back on many of the instances where I have see students ‘doing ICT’ in the classroom has involved them both googling answers and cutting and pasting information. I must admit prior to this course (and we are only two weeks in) that I would have said that this was an effective use of ICT within the classroom.  However I am starting to change my mindset.  Whilst I believe there is a place for these basics, I am beginning to discover (through the lectures and tutorials) that ICT can be used for so much more. 

Upon reflection it is evident that student’s need the skills and know-how to use ICT meaningfully and purposefully. Consequently one of my challenges throughout the duration of this course will be to learn what technologies are effective classroom tools, and how to successfully incorporate them so that students are engaged yet actively learning.

References:

Koehler, M.J. & Mishra, P. (2009). What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge? Contemporary issues in technology and teacher education, 9(1), 60-70.  Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/f/29544

Head, B. (2008). Generation cut and paste.  Retrieved from http://www.zagami.info/4001EPS/Readings/Entries/2011/3/7_Week_2.html