TPack

"When teachers integrate technology in the classroom, their approaches seem to be more student-centered. Students tend to work together more while using technology to write stories, search the web, and create multimedia presentations." 

The Benefits of Integrating Technology

         I think there are huge benefits to integrating technology in the classroom. It opens up an entire world of discovery and knowledge for both educators and learners. When implementing technology in the classroom there are many questions you must consider. With one being, is this technology relevant to the content area? For example if I am teaching about the geography of Ohio I would introduce Google Maps to the students as a resource tool. "You must know the content and pedagogical knowledge which will make you a good teacher." - Dr. Gary Holliday in TPACK. 

If the teacher does not know the content area they can not expect the student to learn from the information. Teachers must also know how to use the technology. As stated by Dr. Holliday, teachers can know the content area back and forth but they must be able to teach it in an effective way. TPACK. This is a very true statement and I have encountered it multiple times. A professor can be incredibly knowledgeable in an area, but if they do not have teaching ability you do not learn any of the bottled up knowledge they have.  

       There are both negative and positive things that come with integrating technology. "Students are more motivated and have a greater sense of control over what they can access and read; their comprehension and ability to create text are improved." Benefits This statement couldn't be more true! I remember when teachers first started using any kind of technology in the classroom I was so excited for that day because I was always interested in that particular information that was presented in a different way.  It helps the student to remain focused on the information being presented. Students also being to start thinking on a higher level because of the depth of information being presented to them. 

       Although there are tons of benefits of integrating technology, there are also many disadvantages. "Teachers most often lack the training they need to incorporate technology in the classroom. Taking one technology workshop or even a class here and there is definitely not enough for them to really learn how to incorporate technology and appreciate its use and value" Challenges The older the teacher the more they are stuck in their ways with teaching. It is hard to get an older teacher to integrate technology in their classroom because blackboards have worked for so long. But if we are able to show these teachers how effective technology is, they may change their ways to benefit the students. 

       I will choose technologies that pertains directly to the information I am teaching. I am currently teaching a technology class at the school I work at. Every week the students want to type or do something on the laptops but I do not always use the same technology. I think that it is important for students to understand and appreciate how far technology has come, so we are currently learning how to use a typewriter. I think that this is so beneficial to the students because they are able to appreciate the technologies that they have now. The students have learned a ton by just integrating both new and old ways of teaching. 

      This is my first time being introduced to TPACK so rightfully one will have questions. I think that the best way to get these questions answered is to talk to other professionals about their experience. They will be able to tell you the things they love and also the things they hate. This can save a lot of time and effort during your first couple years of teaching.