EHAME GBESSO- TPACK ESSAY

Truth be told, I really did not understand what Technological Pedagogical Content
Knowledge (TPACK) was at first. When I saw all the readings that I had to do before actually
understanding the meaning and the importance of technological pedagogical content
knowledge, I was overwhelmed at first. As I started reading through and getting an idea of
what technological pedagogical content knowledge is used for, how its used and why its
used, I started feeling less overwhelmed and more excited. I was feeling excited because I
know at the end I was going to gain knowledge and understanding from all the readings.
To begin, I will summarize a quick definition on the Technological Pedagogical Content
Knowledge also known as TPACK from the article of TPACK Explained by Matthew J
Koehler. The first knowledge is content knowledge (CK) is when the teachers knowledge
about the subject matter to be learned or taught. This knowledge would include knowledge of
concepts, theories, ideas, organizational frameworks, knowledge of evidence and proof, as
well as established practices and approaches toward developing such knowledge. The
pedagogical knowledge (PK) is when teachers deep knowledge about the processes and
practices or methods of teaching and learning. This generic form of knowledge applies to
understanding how students learn, general classroom management skills, lesson planning, and
student assessment. The technology knowledge (TK) is when knowledge about certain ways
of thinking about, and working with technology, tools and resources. This includes
understanding information technology broadly enough to apply it productively at work and in
everyday life, being able to recognize when information technology can assist or impede the
achievement of a goal, and being able continually adapt to changes in information
technology. The pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is applicable to the teaching of
specific content. Central to this transformation occurs as the teacher interprets the subject
matter, finds multiple ways to represent it, and adapts and tailors the instructional materials to
alternative conceptions and students prior knowledge. This type of knowledge covers the

EHAME GBESSO- TPACK ESSAY

core business of teaching, learning, curriculum, assessment and reporting, such as the
conditions that promote learning and the links among curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy.
Next, technological Content Knowledge (TCK) is teachers need to master more than the
subject matter they teach; they must also have a deep understanding of the manner in which
the subject matter can be changed by the application of particular technologies. The
technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK) is an understanding of how teaching and
learning can change when particular technologies are used in particular ways. Lastly, the
technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) is underlying truly meaningful
and deeply skilled teaching with technology.
As a prospective teacher, I will use content knowledge in my classroom basically all the
time. All my knowledge and understandings of the content will be thought the best way to the
students, and hopefully with my background experience of the contents, the students will
understand the content. Although, I wish I could be great in everything, Im not. My content
weakness is math; I know if I keep trying to understand math, then by the time I become a
teacher, I will be fully prepared. Moving on to pedagogical knowledge; the pedagogical
knowledge will always help me plan my lesson plan way better than what I am planning right
now. This knowledge will help me with assessing my students in a more professional and
educational way. Truth be told, I dont think that I have any weakness when it comes to
pedagogical knowledge. The reason I say that is because, I have been practicing pedagogical
knowledge for a year now. Yes I can definitely improve in getting better, but it is not a big
weakness I need to work on. Next, by using the pedagogical content knowledge, I am able to
use different ways to teach my subject to the students. There is never one way to teach
something or to learn something, multiple options are always available. I cannot put out a
lesson where I know my students are not going to understand because they have not been
exposed enough to it; the pedagogical knowledge will help me to teach a meaningful subject

EHAME GBESSO- TPACK ESSAY

matter that will be beneficial to both my students and I. Now at the same time, this
knowledge will be a little challenging because I have to know all my students knowledge
background so that I may be able to pick a strategy or strategies to best fit my students
needs.
The technological content knowledge will be a great way to introduce new ways to use
technologies to teach students. It will make learning the subject- matter more intriguing for
me to teach and for the students to learn. My weakness with this knowledge would be,
sometimes needing to understand the subject- matter well before teaching it. I agree with
knowing what you are about to teach deeply before teaching it; the thing is, the way the
Maryland State curriculum is set up, it is hard to teach something even if you know so much
about. If the curriculum tells you to do it another way but you are used to a different way, it
can be complicating at first. When it comes to challenges like these, I will have to try my best
to involve technologies in the lesson to making sure that the students understand it. My goal
throughout this essay is to make sure that whatever I teach, whatever knowledges I use, to
make sure that my students understand the subject matter with and without technologies. The
technological pedagogical knowledge will allow the students in my classroom to realize how
teaching and learning can change when particular technologies are used in particular ways.
My only weakness with this would have to be choosing way too many technological tools for
one subject- matter and making my students confused. Now how I can improve is by making
sure of choosing the right technological tools to relate to disciplinarily and developmentally
appropriate pedagogical designs. Lastly, is the technological pedagogical content knowledge.
This knowledge has a great deal of benefitting the classroom well. In my classroom, I will
most likely have a specific time for technological pedagogical content knowledge. As a
teacher, using this knowledge in the classroom will help the students gain real world
experiences, help with problem solving, and preparation for the job force. My weakness in

EHAME GBESSO- TPACK ESSAY

using this knowledge would have to be, being deeply skilled teaching with technology. I
sometimes struggle with technologies. With that being said, I can improve by, working more
and more with different types of technologies. I can ask for help if I dont know how to use a
technology so that when I am in the classroom teaching, when students ask me questions
about how to use the technology or what to do with the technology, I may better assist them
through it.
In conclusion, as stated earlier, I enjoyed reading through the TPACK because it gives me
an idea of what to expect in the classrooms when I become a teacher. I personally know that
sometimes, using technologies in the classrooms can be difficult because I am not a big
technology person. Yes I have the Galaxy S6 Edge, but it doesnt mean that I love technology
and I know how to use it all the time. It simply means that I have a cell phone. The potential
problem that I see with TPACK is, putting way too much pressure on the teachers to making
sure that all the students know how to use every single technology there is before they reach a
certain grade. That kind of pressure will make teachers go crazy and students disliking
technology. Which is not going to be good because technology is supposed to be fun. With
that being said, I like to think that I am the type of person who make the most difficult jobs
interesting. So I believe in my heart that, even though some of the technologies in the
classrooms may be difficult, I will do my best making sure that while students are learning
the importance of technologies in the classrooms, they are also having fun.