The TPACK Model and ISTE Standards for Educators

Week Ten

Building on Shulman's construct of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, TPACK adds technology at the forefront of enhanced student learning. When technology, content, and pedagogical knowledge all coalesce; more opportunities for engagement and learning are created for students. ISTE Standards for Educators require teachers to facilitate and inspire student learning with innovative modeling, collaboration, and real world experiences. The key points are that teachers need to design and develop digital age learning experiences while modeling collaboration and communication on emerging tools. By modeling fair use, netiquette, and responsible social interactions online; teachers promote positive digital citizenship for each student. It is imperative that teachers stay interested and up to date on current technology trends. By actively collaborating, professional growth and leadership can be endured in the learning community.

Like all content areas, technology use in the visual arts should align with how the teacher intends on meeting the standards and learning objectives. Technology should be used to make lessons more interesting, connect learners to real world experiences, increase differentiation of delivery, and improve performance outcomes. Like any lesson planning, teachers need to first identify their learning standards and objectives. Next, they must develop engaging ways to deliver the content. The final question should involve asking, “What technological tools will assist in accomplishing these goals?”

Although not all art classrooms are equipped with 21st Century technology, more schools are becoming increasingly a 1:1 computer to student ratio. Akin to other subjects, technology can be used in the arts to enhance teaching and learning. Online resources such as videos or virtual galleries can inspire students. Students can create and collaborate ideas with their peers using blogs or vlogs. Learner-driven activities such as students creating their own growth portfolios, digital artifacts, or websites cater to higher order thinking and the creation of authentic tasks with real world experiences. By using educational technologies in the visual arts, students can construct meanings, analyze, self-reflect, and forge ahead in the interdisciplinary learning of many other content areas.