M1P3-TPACK and 21st Century Tools

Technology Pedagogical Content Knowledge is known as TPACK.  TPACK is a taking the traditional way of teaching and gearing it up to use technology to teach content.  Technology is changing quickly so it's important for teachers to expand their TPACK often.  Teachers need to learn new tools to keep up with the 21st century way of teaching.  When thinking about your level of TPACK, you need to identify your strengths and weaknesses in using technology in the classroom.  Once you know where you need to grow then get enrolled in professional development and join learning communities. The learning communities will consist of other teachers who are learning and needing to grow in the same areas of you.  It's a great way to collaborate and learn from others.  Teachers need to be educated on how to recognize the pedogogy (how we teach), content (what we teach), and technology (tools that we use) in order to create the TPACK package of teaching with technology. 

While reading about 21st century tools, I realized I'm currently doing some of them in my classroom.  Teachers need many choices when providing instruction in the classroom.  When you're planning how to use technology in your classroom you need to focus on is it efficient, effective, and engaging.  With efficient, is the tool worth our time to prepare it, the energy to prepare and teach the concept, and is it worth the money if you are having to pay for it out of school funds.  Our tools need to meet the standards that our students need.  With effective, are the tools that you are providing allowing the students to be successful with the task?  It needs to be meaningful and relate to the standards that are being addressed.  Last, are your tools engaging?  Keeping the students attention is vital in teaching and learning.  Twenty-first century tools continue to grow quickly therefore educators need to develop themselves professionally and implement the tools for instruction and student use.