PART B - Application of TPACK

TPACK was inspired by Lee Shulman's TPACK. MSU's Punya Mishra and Matthew Koehler added the technology component to create a more meaningful learning experience. For a successful TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) framework, an understanding of content and creativity is necessary. The teachers are the designers of technology, content and pedagogy. For this portion of the Wicked Problem Plan I will apply the framework of TPACK to the solution for my problem.

In terms of the Technology and Pedagogy, the resources that I have chosen are supportive in a teaching environment. Many of the resources can create authentic, personalized speaking moments for students as well conversations. In tools such as VoiceThread, Conversations 2.0 and Lingt Language, conversation between teacher and student can be simulated. In VoiceThread, conversation can occur between teacher and student as well as student and student. The technology also allows the users to be interactive. Students who use Voki are able to record multiple characters with multiple voices. In VoiceThread users are able to comment on each other’s responses and ideas.

In terms of Technology and Content, these resources make the problem more intellectually accessible. These tools are easily accessible. VoiceThread and Blabberize have applications that students can download for free on their smartphone. Students can also call in responses on VoiceThread. The students will be able to increase the rigor by speaking outside of class and increase amount they are speaking. They are able to increase their oral proficiency and fluency by speaking more in the target language in meaningful environments. By using a wikispace and creating start-up sheets, the teachers are able to access all the materials. Eventually I will be able to model how to use the tool when I create tutorials with Jing after the course is over.

In terms of Pedagogy and Content, the resources allow the students to access higher order thinking skills. Students are able to be creative with some of the resources such as Voki and Blabberize. The students are able to create short films in Voki and are able to “speak” through the pictures on Blabberize. They are able to analyze and evaluate how to respond in resources such as Lingt Language, VoiceThread and Conversations 2.0. In Lingt Language the teacher can input videos, mp3 files, pictures, voice narration and text. The teacher can make it so the students answer in text or voice narration. In VoiceThread the teacher can have the students respond to the presentation or they could have them respond based on their classmates’ responses. In Conversations the teacher can ask the student questions and the students are able to give personalized responses based on the questions.

Overall, I think that my solution to my WPP is suitable for the TPACK framework.