I’m still struggling with finding that ‘perfect placement’ in the TPACK model. Part of the problem I think is that all of my interaction with and thinking about it has been theoretical since I’m not in a classroom right now. This has meants that I can do all kinds of great thinking (Like, Chorewars looks really cool, I wonder if I can modify it for the classroom) but I can’t actually put it into place and get feedback from using it. Does it actually wor? Were my students engaged? Did it work, but need some modifications, or did just part of it work? I feel that ultimately this has stunted my TPACK growth a bit. I’m still invested though, so I keep calling up my teacher friends and asking them questions about things, and asking them to try things in their rooms and give me feedback on how it goes.
I do feel that since joining the Touro Program I am even more focused on making sure that my incorporation of technology is supporting student learning. I think teachers are often pushed to use technology in the classroom and the end up with activities and lessons that are hovering around the substitution level of the SAMR model. This is what I Refer to as, “Technology for technology’s sake.” This doesn’t really support learning, but it does check the technology requirement box. From this program I have developed a renewed dedication to ensuring that any technology I use is supporting student learning, and not just shoehorning in technology because someone told me I had to.