Reflection on 3rd Discussion Technological Pedagogical Content

Technological Pedagogical Content
This topic for discussion had a lot of information in the article that was presented. It seemed overwhelming to me at first and then as I read I began to see the content coming together and I found it very interesting. I also felt that the postings from other students were informative and helped me understand what the article was saying. All seemed to agree that interweaving all three key sources of knowledge: technology, pedagogy, and content create a powerful framework for teachers and the curriculum.

Some of the students’ postings gave us insight as to how technology is not being used to benefit everyone equally. The upper grades seem to get the bulk of districts technology equipment while the lower grades have to defend their ideas to use technology by being the most creative. I know this is true in our district where the high school rooms all have smart boards in them but the elementary where I work has two boards in the whole building. In order to become proficient in a form of technology you have to be able to play with it so you can see how to best use its potential. This doesn’t happen in an elementary building with 17 classroom teachers and two smart boards. This opened my eyes that we are not the only district with this problem!

I felt that this discussion topic and its sub-topics were very interesting and informative to me. I enjoyed learning about other people’s ideas and actual situations with integrating technology into the classrooms. I was impressed to read how Karen’s district started a program two years ago which was initiated by the school board to have one computer for every student. Then they had monthly professional development to focus learning and exploring Web 2.0 tools, software etc. Their goal was not to make technology an addition to what you are teaching but to teach the content. I feel this discussion was valuable to me and my dreams for my district in technology.