ICT Use in Science and Mathematics Teacher Education in Tanzania: Developing Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge

Currently, teacher education colleges in Tanzania are being equipped with computers to prepare teachers who can integrate technology in teaching. Despite these efforts, teachers are not embracing the use of technology in their teaching. This study adopted Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) as a framework for describing the knowledge and skills that pre-service teachers need to develop in order to effectively integrate technology in science and mathematics teaching. Pre-service teachers (N=22) participated in microteaching, hands-on training, collaborative lesson design in design teams, and reflection with peers. Pre- and post-assessment results of the pre-service teachers’ perceived knowledge and skills of integrating technology in teaching, showed significant changes in technology-related components of TPACK. We conclude that opportunities for pre-service teachers to participate in professional development programs that involve lesson design, teaching, evaluation and re-design, can be effective for the development of the knowledge and skills of integrating technology in science and mathematics teaching

Transforming classroom practices through teachers' learning of TPACK: The case of in-service teachers at Kibasila Secondary School in Tanzania

This study investigated the extent to which teachers’ learning of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) has an impact on their technology use and classroom practices. The study involved 12 in-service teachers and 40 students from Kibasila secondary school in Tanzania. During the study, teachers participated in training about TPACK and in teacher design teams they designed technology-enhanced Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons. Data were collected through a teacher questionnaire, an observation checklist, student questionnaire and a teacher interview. Results showed that after learning TPACK, teachers’ classroom practices shifted from teacher-centered approach to learner-centered approaches that utilize technology. Students' interest on the lessons was also enhanced. In addition, there was an increase in the interaction between students and teachers during the classroom session. Given these findings, we concluded that, teachers’ development of TPACK has an impact on the teachers' teaching approaches

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

Measuring TPACK: Part 2

This symposium discusses several ways in which (pre-service) teachers’ TPACK can be measured. The first two studies unravel the TPACK survey (Schmidt et al., 2009), a self-report instrument to determine TPACK, and try to revalidate the survey in two different pre-service teacher education contexts: The US and the Netherlands. The third study triangulates findings from the TPACK survey with other instruments to better understand teachers’ development of TPACK that resulted from teachers’ collaborative design of technology integrated lessons. The last contribution focuses on measuring transfer of TPACK, as it studies how beginning teachers, who had TPACK training during their pre-service education, demonstrated TPACK in their practice. Similarities and differences in the ways TPACK were measured and its implications will be discussed