Chapter 4

TPACK Chapter 4

English

            This chapter talked a lot about the use of technology to enhance English language skills among students. The chapter discusses the idea of an initiative called Ed-U-Tech. This initiative is a college-wide commitment to develop integration skills with technology dealing with specific content area topics for new teachers before they start their first teaching job. This initiative allows future teachers to work with the idea of technology integration in their classrooms and develop E-TPCK.  “Ed-U-Tech’s goal focused on faculty development, curriculum development, establishing opportunities for preservice teachers to plan for and practice using technology as a support to instruction and receive feedback about those efforts…and preparing teachers to use technology” (pg.93).

            The chapter also discusses two different teachers and their use of technology in the classroom. There was a veteran teacher and a new teacher and the study focused on comfort level, accessibility, and the use of everyday technology for each teacher. The biggest difference among the teachers that was reported was that the veteran teacher was extremely knowledgeable about the English content and had general knowledge of technology integration. Whereas the newer teacher displayed the opposite knowledge. Laura knew more about integrating technology and had more advanced technology skills then Nell.

I definitely think that the information and study mentioned in this chapter shows a very realistic picture of all teachers.  A great deal of teachers both young and old to the profession experience both scenarios. I feel that age doesn’t always matter when talking about technology.  Yet in order to assure that all teachers are familiar with integrating technology, training needs to happen. I am one of the younger teachers (with less experience) that struggle with integrating fancy technological skills. I am definitely old fashion and enjoy teaching with the chalkboard and creating all of my activities and lessons by hand. Therefore, I feel that if I attended a college that prepares teachers on how to integrate technology successfully into their content area, I would be much better prepared and more well rounded as a teacher.