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Dylan Rodgers
Content Strategy Manager and Editor in Chief of the Schoology Exchange
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The TPACK Framework Explained (With Classroom

Examples)
Posted in Pro Tips | January 19, 2018

TPACK is a technology integration framework that identifies three types of

knowledge instructors need to combine for successful edtech integration—
technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (a.k.a. TPACK).
While TPACK is often compared with the SAMR Model, they are very different
in scope.

Want to build better blended learning experiences? Download our free

guide that's all about it.
 
Later, we'll take a look at the differences of these frameworks in more depth.
But to quickly give you a little context, the SAMR Model is really designed to
provide a high-level gauge of the degree of technology use, but some
consider it to be overly simple and somewhat confusing. The TPACK
framework, on the other hand, provides more of a map for understanding how
to integrate technology into the classroom effectively.

Let's dive in to the purpose and elements of TPACK.

What is the TPACK Framework All About?

The TPACK framework was introduced by Punya Mishra and Matthew J.
Koehler of Michigan State University in 2006. With it, they identified three
primary forms of knowledge: Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical
Knowledge (PK), and Technological Knowledge (TK).

Look at the diagram below. You’ll notice that the three primary forms of
knowledge are not entirely separate. In fact, the intersections of each are
critical because they represent deeper levels of understanding.

Image based on the original on TPACK.org

The center of the diagram, otherwise known as TPACK, represents a full

understanding of how to teach with technology. Keep in mind that this is not
the same as having knowledge of each of the three primary concepts
individually. Instead, the point of TPACK is to understand how to use
technology to teach concepts in a way that enhances student learning
experiences.

Let’s say, for example, that you deliver content to your students via your
learning management system (LMS). Even if you have sufficient knowledge of
the content you’re teaching (CK) and of your LMS (TK), you might still subject
your students to an entire online course of text-based PDFs.

While this is an adequate display of both content and technical knowledge,

you could argue that it is not enhancing the learning experience. However, if
you recognized how your content could be presented in more interactive and
engaging digital mediums—e.g., video, class discussion, game, etc.—and you
knew how to make that happen via your LMS, then you just leveled up to
Technical Content Knowledge (TCK).

Key Differences Between the TPACK and SAMR Tech

Integration Frameworks

As mentioned before, the SAMR Model is quite different from TPACK. And

because more educators know about SAMR, it's worth taking a few moments
to address how they're different and the implications they have on your
instructional strategy. 
To do that, here's Kellie Ady, our Director of Instructional Strategy, discussing
the differences between TPACK and SAMR with our former Senior
Instructional Designer Bradley Kemp.

Can't view this video? Here it is on YouTube.

Why Is TPACK Important?

Most instructors and administrators recognize the benefits technology can

have in the classroom—whether that be preparing students for a technology-
driven world or helping to simplify course, school, and district management.
But too many view technology as a silver bullet to the challenges they face.
It’s sometimes assumed, consciously or not, that the mere presence of digital
tools will improve education.

This is exactly why the TPACK framework is important. It’s easy to think that
adding a great LMS to your class strategy is going to enhance learning. But
TPACK shows us that there’s a relationship between technology, content, and
pedagogy, and the purposeful blending of them is key.

If nothing else, TPACK can be a helpful mantra urging you to step back and
look at your whole strategy and the nuanced connections between all of its
moving parts. In a study conducted by the ASCILITE, or the Australasian
Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education, researchers found
that the TPACK framework enhanced teacher candidates’ ability to use
technology in their learning and later in their professions.

“This present understanding of the use of TPACK,” author of the study Dr.
Dorit Maor explains, “also paves the way for educators to engage students in
collaborative learning and to develop the concept of digital pedagogies. Digital
pedagogies may be the concept that can encompass all: teaching approach,
students’ attitudes, and desired learning outcomes.”

She goes on to say that the framework should also be used to develop new
forms of professional development “to promote a better understanding of the
synergy between technology and pedagogy.” Given its potential impact on
teachers, teacher training, professional development, and student outcomes,
claiming that TPACK is an important concept in education may be an
understatement.
 An Example of How to Incorporate the TPACK Framework
in Your Classroom

Now that you know what the TPACK framework is and why it’s important, let’s
look at how it can be applied in the classroom. Below is an example of how
you can us your technological, pedagogical content knowledge to enhance a
lesson.

Below is an example inspired by a video by Sophia.org.

Your Original Lesson Plan

Imagine you are a 7th grade life sciences teacher. The topic is “cell anatomy.”
Your objectives are to describe the anatomy of animal cells and explain how
the organelles work as a system to carry out the necessary functions of the
cell.

The traditional strategies or activities might go as follows:

1. Walk through the cell’s anatomy

and the basic functions of each
organelle, referencing the diagram
in the textbook

2. Break the class into small groups.

Task each group with labeling their
own diagram of cell anatomy and
researching a single process to
present to the class later on. You
may want to choose the process
for them to avoid duplicate
presentations.

3. Have each group present the cell

process they researched to the
class.
Got it? Okay. So how might the TPACK framework be used to enhance this
lesson?

Applying Technological, Pedagogical Content Knowledge to Your Lesson

As mentioned before, the TPACK framework is based on three primary forms
of knowledge. So your first step should be to understand your primary forms of
knowledge in the context of this lesson.

 Content Knowledge (CK)—what

are you teaching and what is your
own knowledge of the subject? For
this lesson, you’ll need a solid
understanding of cell anatomy and
processes.

 Pedagogical Knowledge (PK)—

how do your students learn best
and what instructional strategies do
you need to meet their needs and
the requirements of the lesson
plan? In this case, you'll need to
understand best practices for
teaching middle school
science and small group
collaboration.

 Technological Knowledge (TK)—

what digital tools are available to
you, which do you know well
enough to use, and which would be
most appropriate for the lesson at
hand? For this lesson, students will
need to label a diagram and
present, so the ability to fill in
blanks with an answer key, find
images from the internet, create
slides, etc. are important.
Now that you’ve taken stock of your primary forms of knowledge, focus on
where they intersect. While the ultimate goal is to be viewing your lesson and
strategy through the lens of TPACK, or the center of the model where all
primary forms of knowledge blend together, taking a moment to consider the
individual relationships can be helpful.

 Pedagogical Content Knowledge

(PCK)—understanding the best
practices for teaching specific
content to your specific students.
  Technological Content
Knowledge (TCK)—knowing how
the digital tools available to you
can enhance or transform the
content, how it’s delivered to
students, and how your students
can interact with it.

 Technological Pedagogical
Knowledge (TPK)—understanding
how to use your digital tools as a
vehicle to the learning outcomes
and experiences you want.
Now let’s weave all this technological, pedagogical content knowledge
(TPACK) together and enhance the activities of our original lesson plan. The
ideas below are examples of activities that can be added to the original list.
Remember, the goal is to be purposeful in applying each form of knowledge.

1. After walking through the different

parts of a cell’s anatomy, break
your students into small groups
and have them collaborate on
completing a Check for
Understanding quiz via your LMS.
Include an interactive question that
provides a diagram of a cell with
blank labels and requires students
to drag and drop the proper labels
in place from an answer key (in
Schoology’s LMS it’s called
a “Label Image” question).

2. Give each group a device with

recording capabilities. Have each
member of the group choose an
organelle to personify, and have
them record each other explaining
who they are (or which organelle
they are) and why they are
important for the cell. Finally, have
them upload their videos to a
media album so your students can
watch each other’s videos on their
own time and leave comments.
 3. Instead of researching a cell
process (e.g., cell respiration,
energy production, etc.) in one type
of cell, have your students
compare the process between
animal and plant cells and make
conclusions regarding the
differences they find. Require each
group to construct an artifact
of their research by creating a one-
page brief in Google Drive or
Microsoft OneDrive, a flowchart
comparison, or a video
explanation. This can be turned in
via an assignment in your LMS for
credit.

4. Armed with their knowledge of cell

anatomy, function, and processes,
have your students analyze the
connections between different
animals and plants in their natural
habitats. Have each group infer
what might happen when one
animal or plant is placed in
a habitat other than it's natural one.
Each group should compile
evidence to make their
case (articles, videos, etc.) using
Padlet, Evernote, or other similar
tool. 
For more TPACK planning steps and lesson examples, see this article
from the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education (JTATE).

Broad Benefits of the TPACK Framework

You don’t have to go all in with TPACK to gain something from it. Whether you
apply it to every lesson or revisit it from time to time, this framework can help
you think more strategically about how you’re using technology in the
classroom. Try it. You may be surprised at what your lessons and strategies
can become through the meticulously thoughtful lens of the TPACK
framework.