Supporting teachers’ collaboration in design teams to develop Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: the case of science teachers in Tanzania

This study assessed the effect of support on the teachers’ collaboration in design teams and development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). The study was carried out in two secondary schools in Tanzania: Chang’ombe and Jitegemee secondary schools. From each school 10 teachers participated in the professional development program intended to develop TPACK. Four supports were provided during the professional development program: collaboration guidelines, online learning materials, exemplary lessons and human support (an expert). The pre and post intervention assessment of teachers’ perceived and observed knowledge and skills of integrating technology in teaching was done through questionnaire and interview. Other data collection instruments were observation checklist and focus group discussion. Findings revealed a significant different between the pre and post intervention teachers’ TPACK. Through support, teachers’ discussions in the design teams were precise, focused to the goals of the meeting and time efficient

Pre-service mathematics teachers' learning and teaching of activity-based lessons supported with spreadsheets

Mathematics education research has shown that too few students have adequate mathematics comprehension or problem-solving skills. To make up for this lapse in student outcomes, mathematics teachers should be among the most enthusiastic in seeking to maximize technologies’ potential to develop student understanding, stimulate student interest, and increase student mathematics proficiency. In this study, pre-service mathematics teachers worked in teams to develop their knowledge and skills in designing activity-based lessons supported by spreadsheets. The pre-service teachers developed and demonstrated their knowledge and skill adequately during the design and enactment of their lessons. The results also showed that, the activity-based lessons supported by spreadsheets served a useful pedagogical approach, impacted on student learning outcomes and has the potential of improving teaching and learning mathematics in secondary educatio

Innovative teaching strategies: enhancing the soft-skilloriented approach through integrated onsite-online learning environments

ABSTRACT The integration of ICT in Higher Education requires reflective design by teachers. In particular, from recent international research on the subject, it emerges that the perspective of the TPCK framework (Technological, Pedagogical, Content Knowledge) can favour an effective design reasoning of teachers. Teaching practice requires the implementation of innovative organizational models for the creation of learning environments that offer continuity between classroom and distance learning (Hybrid Instruction Solution). The empirical mix-method research involved a group of volunteer teachers of different teachings. The objective was to design and implement innovative teaching solutions using ICT in onsite/online environments to enhance specific soft skills in students. The results of a questionnaire (CAWI) given to incoming and outgoing teachers from the experience of designing and conducting the didactic action will be presented. the TPCK perspective design of integrated learning environments and the reasoned choice of coherent methodologies seem to make a soft-skilloriented didactics feasible

The EFL pre-service teachers' experiences and challenges in designing teaching materials using TPACK framework

This study aimed to explore the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) pre-service teachers’ experiences in designing and implementing teaching materials by using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework through the Learning by Design (LBD) approach. It also identified the challenges faced by the pre-service teachers in designing and implementing the teaching materials. This study involved EFL pre-service teachers in the Province of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used to gather data needed to accomplish the research objectives. The results of the study showed that the LBD approach was found to be beneficial for the pre-service teachers in designing and implementing teaching materials by using the TPACK framework. The LBD approach helped the pre-service teachers in combining the technological tools and applications with teaching. The EFL pre-service teachers believed that the process that they experienced, enabled them to have a positive change in designing the teaching materials. However, some challenges were still faced by the EFL pre-service teachers in designing and implementing the teaching materials. These included the EFL pre-service teachers’ low level of computer skill, their lack of proficiency in content knowledge, and the availability of media. Moreover, the challenges they faced did not make them afraid of having more experience in LBD activities to promote their abilities in designing teaching materials and in teaching using the materials.

Does the TPACK framework help to design a more engaging learning environment?

This paper describes an attempt to design an e-learning course within a framework that combines theoretical underpinnings with pedagogy and content knowledge. It focuses on how a university lecturer can facilitate learning that integrates pedagogical and technological knowledge. The Technology Pedagogy And Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework enables new ways of thinking about technology integration and emphasises the intersection of these three domains: technology, pedagogy and content knowledge. Students’ involvement in a blended learning course and their reflections were examined to provide a picture of the synergy or lack there of in relation to this framework. This paper offers a look at the intersections of the TPACK domains to consider how the use of Web 2 technologies in teaching complement the other domains. It also describes how students assessed the combination of the technological, pedagogical and content knowledge domains in their learning experiences

Impact of a Science Methods Course on Pre-Service Elementary Teachers\u27 Knowledge and Confidence of Teaching with Scientific Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of an elementary science methods course on pre-service teachers\u27 knowledge and confidence of teaching with inquiry and problem-based instructional strategies. Changes in pre-service teachers\u27 knowledge and confidence were measured before and after completing the course activities using a pilot survey entitled Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge & Confidence (PCKC) Survey. An integrated lecture/laboratory elementary science methods course engaged participants with hands-on activities designed to increase their pedagogical content knowledge: including theory, planning and implementation of inquiry, and problem-based learning. The results indicated that pre-service teachers\u27 knowledge and confidence improved as a result of enrollment in the elementary science methods course. This article validates reform movements to incorporate scientific inquiry and problem-based learning into coursework

Technological pedagogical content knowledge development: integrating technology with a Research Teaching Perspective

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) represents the teachers’ professional knowledge needed to integrate technology in education. Following a design-based approach this study describes the strategies for designing and assessing an in-service science teacher education course. Data was obtained through interviews, questionnaires, using participant observation and analysis of in-service science teachers’ professional portfolios. A detailed description of the research methodology and findings is given, including an overview of the implications of the study. Results show that integrating technology with a Research Teaching Perspective (RTP) could be a way to develop innovative science lessons for students. Suggestions for the creation of a design framework for the development of initial and in-service science teachers’ TPCK are put forward

Technology advances : transforming university teaching through professional development

Increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in universities is a global trend. However, many teaching academics are unfamiliar with the possibilities of ICTs and have limited understanding of how to integrate them into their teaching in pedagogically appropriate ways. Th is highlights a need for universities to provide professional development opportunities to assist staff to better understand their teaching practices, and the theoretical perspectives underpinning them, in order to exploit current educational technologies for the benefi t of student learning. This paper introduces the broad trends infl uencing the advancement of technology in higher education before considering the opportunities that the new context off ers for pushing the boundaries of theory and practice relating to learning and teaching in higher education. It then describes an online professional development initiative which responds to these opportunities. Th is is an exemplars website entitled Designing Electronic Learning and Teaching Approaches (DELTA) which has been introduced at Monash University to support pedagogically appropriate teaching with technology.<br /

Professional Competence of Prospective Elementary School Teachers in Designing Lesson Plans Integrating Project-Based Learning Models and TPACK

During the industrial revolution, the quality of education improved, and this was reflected in competent and professional teachers. Teacher professional competence can be achieved by combining personal, scientific, technological, social, and spiritual skills.. This study aims at assessing prospective teachers' professional abilities in developing lesson plans that are integrated with the Project Based Learning and TPACK models in Microteaching course. This study employs a qualitative approach with a case study research design by involving 10 prospective elementary school teachers enrolled in sixth semester. Data collection was carried out through interviews, observation, and documentation, while data analysis was carried out qualitatively, comprising data reduction, verification, and conclusions. The findings obtained revealed that the professional competence of prospective elementary school teachers was adequate but could be improved. According to the interviews, they were able to develop a scientific mindset in preparing lesson plans with subject mastery based on basic competencies and learning objectives. In fact, four participants were able to develop lesson plans using project-based learning models. In the analysis process, it was also found that these prospective elementary school teachers were able to integrate TPACK, meaning they knew how to link material with the use of technology and were able to teach it in simulation activities carried out in class. However, some of them still struggled to make project-based learning plans, especially in designing projects relevant to teaching materials. Overall, it can be concluded that the professional competence of prospective teacher students was adequate but could be improved, particularly in their capacity to design projects relevant to the material and learning objectives in elementary schools

Digital learning objects: A need for educational leadership

Despite increasing interest in technology-assisted education, technology-based instructional design still lacks support from a reliable body of empirical research. This dearth of reliable information hampers its integration into mainstream school systems. In fact, many teachers remain resistant to using technology in the classroom. In order to overcome teacher resistance to technology in the classroom, we have sought to follow a process described by Friesen to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the educational use of digital learning objects (DLOs) from the teachers' point of view. This article explores the opportunities and challenges inherent in using digital learning objects and reports on the impact of DLO use at both the classroom and school levels. By providing research that links students' use of DLOs with the development of key competencies, we hope to sharpen teachers' visions of how DLOs can help them achieve their educational goals, and to encourage DLO uptake for educational purposes. Finally, we envision a DLO that can assist school principals in the facilitation of educational leadership and help transform teachers' attitudes toward technology-based teaching