TPACK Chapter 1--Introducing TPCK

Technology is growing and changing at increasing rates of speed each year. Look at how quickly an iPod or computer goes out of date or becomes obsolete. Contrast that with the relative stasis of the canon of English literature. No wonder then that many teachers, when looking at technology, think, “It’s somebody else’s problem.” Many times, we don’t like to change, because change is hard. Change is work and sometimes change is frightening. And technology is change.
But the truth is that we use technology every day, from the minute we get up until we go to sleep. Many of these innovative technologies are no longer new or exciting to us; therefore we discount them as technology. But a pencil is technology. Just as much as the computer and word processor were revolutionary, so too was the printing press and the clock. One of the discussions that I found most interesting in this chapter was the nature of analog and digital technology.
So we use technology every day. So what? So what if what I use is a pencil while the technology that my colleague embraces is a SmartBoard. They are both technology. The “so what” is that our students are so much better at it than teachers (for the most part) are. Many of them have, after all, never even seen or heard of a typewriter, and discount writing with pens and pencils as “old school.” They cannot remember a time when they did not have the luxury of a computer. And they like learning things on (and about) computers; therefore they are more engaged in learning when it involves digital technology.
How does this impact me? I believe that it reinforces what I already knew. I knew that kids like and respond well to technology and that we should continue to try to incorporate technology into our lessons. The challenge is finding the time to “do it all” as they say. Much like “supermoms” teachers have to be all things to all students…and that’s hard.
But while it is hard, it is also exciting. The heart of teaching is the love of learning. If we as teachers are not open and willing to embrace new experiences and technology, then we lose the very essence of what makes us teachers. We should love to learn. Therefore, although it can be frightening to be asked to do so much with (sometimes) so little, we need to take up the challenge. I, for one, am looking forward to it.