Using TPACK Effectively

Today during class we were challenged to find ways to use the TPACK framework effectively. First, we did an activity which chose a random content area, pedagogy strategy and a technology. Somehow, we had to use each of them to create what would be an effective lesson. Now, this isn't really how you would go about designing a lesson, because when integrating technology you should always choose it carefully, rather than randomly, but the exercise did allow us to come up with creative ways to mesh the three together.

We also did some story adaptation activities. We used the book "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" and made our own adaptations using KidPix. Here is my example:

Book adaptations are a wonderful way to get students hooked into reading/writing. It is very motivating for students to see thier own writing/pictures printed out and used as a book. In my 3rd grade room we made a classroom book that integrated our math into our visualization unit. Students created their page of the book at a weekly literacy center. They had to research an insect of their choice from one of the books I selected, and then they were to compare its size to an everyday object. We did this after reading a book called "The Big Bug Book" which had pictures of large insects and compared them to everyday objects. The students loved doing this activity because they got to be creative.

Today we also did an adaptation of the book "Rosie's Walk". We titled ours "The Student's Walk" and it followed the same concept, using prepositions, as the original title. We worked in groups to make our own book about our walk. Here is ours:





Again, book adaptations are a simple and easy ways to engage students in reading and writing. ABC books are a great resource to do this with, especially because ABC books are written about everything from animals to superheroes. There is something for every student!


Here is a link to my online technology portfolio from another class that highlights some of my technology projects.