Framework for Teacher Knowledge

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge:
A Framework for Teacher Knowledge
by Matthew J. Koehler & Punya Mishra

In this article, Koehler and Mishra develop a theory to explain the elements of quality teaching in today's technological world.  Devices that we use every day are being constantly updated and thrust into classrooms through students' dependence as well as educational tools.  As the authors state, "these new technologies have changed the nature of the classroom or have the potential to do so," (1023).  Whether or not teachers want to take time to learn and teach new skills, technology will not be kept out of the classroom nor will it cease to develop.  Koehler and Mishra state that simply bringing technology to the classroom is not enough; quality teachers must have a thorough understanding of how to incorporate it into lessons as well as make it useful and understandable to students.  This includes knowledge about the subject matter (content knowledge), knowledge about the processes/methods and how it applies to educational goals (pedagogical knowledge), knowledge about technology and all combinations thereof.  By understanding all of these areas and how they relate, teachers will be able to adapt to different teaching situations and employ all available resources to provide a quality learning environment.

This article justifies the need for this course.  Teachers emerging into classrooms in such a technology-focused society need to know how to incorporate it into lessons and enable students to use it to their advantage.  Without the understanding of different technologies, our lessons will become less relevant to the world we send our students into.  The necessity for technology in education is rising but is useless unless we can present it to students with the knowledge of how it works and applies to their lives.  This will be critical in the Early Childhood classrooms; elementary education will be vastly different from the classrooms we grew up in--and we must prepare our students with the skills they will need.  This includes introducing them to computers and computer programs at a very early age.  Understanding how to incorporate computer programs that support their learning as well as prepare them for more advanced programs without sacrificing necessary human interaction and activities for their cognitive, emotional, and social development will be the challenge we face as new teachers.