Module 6

Module 6

A Few Things to Think About

Module 7 will post mid-week this week to give you a bit of extra time to begin work on some end-of-term projects. In the meantime, it is clear there is some work to do...

As we approach the end of the term, there are some things which we need to revisit...

1. TPACK

There seems to be a wide misunderstanding of TPACK, so let's explore that again.

The TK, CK, and PK do NOT relate to a list of things, subjects or technologies, but rather to KNOWLEDGE of these things combined with others... such as, you might know how to use a laptop, but you may determine, based upon your knowledge of your 4 year old learners' developmental maturity that the laptop is not the best tool because they need more active involvement (TPK)... additionally, you might know all about the way bark grows on a tree and how it works to help the tree thrive, etc. (CK) but you know that many of the ideas you know are too abstract for many of your students so you limit your information somewhat (PCK) OR perhaps you decide that the content you need to share because it is important (in the curriculum or as a basis for something else deemed important) (CK) is also appropriate for your students' developmental and intellectual maturity (PK) AND you determine that they need to examine tree bark up close so you use a handheld microscope and projector to show them the bark up close... TPACK...you based your technological tool and implementation on your knowledge of the content (CK), understanding of the developmentally appropriate teaching methods (PK), based upon your knowledge of the tools available to you you chose the proscope (TK) and based on your students' and the time you had for the lesson etc (Context) you decided upon the lesson and the tools, resources, and methodologies you would use.





Please consider re-examining the TPACK assignment you submitted and determine if you can/should refine your response to how your TK, PK, and CK were combined to influence your decisions about the lesson(s).





2.  Technology Overviews

There were many good explanations of technologies in the latest assignment, but several reflected very little application of the content... what does it mean for teachers/students/learning? What do YOU think of the technology? How might it effect, positively and/or negatively, teaching and learning? 



A couple of you were on the verge of, or could be accused of, plagiarism. (see the definition here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarize ). This is a serious matter. I should not be able to copy a phrase or sentence from your work and "Google it" and find the source... please make sure you are not sharing the words or thoughts of others without either quoting them or making the ideas your own. PLEASE check your work for appropriate citations for all work not your own. Revisit your technology pages on the wiki and edit your pages to be certain there can be no claim of plagiarism, the University is quite stringent on this. Additionally, make certain you have included your personal/professional reflections in this assignment, also, while you are at it, re-read what you have written and look for spelling, grammar and general readability.




Grading.

I will not grade your wiki page(s) on technologies OR your TPACK work until later in order to give you a second chance to improve your work. Please take the ideas and input above seriously and take some time the beginning of this week to improve your work and to show your knowledge and understanding if need be.


Class Meeting

Apparently our class session did not record appropriately... probably user-error on my part. I posted some information on Apps on our wiki https://uniselectintegrate.wikispaces.com/Apps+for+Learning  and I hope that helps.


As always, PLEASE contact me via email, phone or text when you have a question or concern... I welcome your questions and feedback!

Gail