Let's talk about TPACK

Being a geek and lover of technology, I always wanted to use technology to enhance my students learning of music. The tools out in the world are amazing and can provide easier access to music creation, performance, and connection or the "content" of music education as mentioned in a class video. One of the issues that is presented in the class videos is with all the approaches to technology in the class each are technocentric* or tool based. Understanding the technology is important but when you focus on the tech rather than the content and pedagogy, it loses out on making a greater impact. (source of thoughts are here: VIDEO *5:20)

The ability for students to express themselves musically without the need of spending hours upon hours in a classroom or private lesson setting is a great opportunity for the students, especially those who do not have easy access to lessons or . Through technology we, as educators, have the opportunity to develop self driven music learners and artist. It is then becomes the responsibility music educators of the world to make use of that technology to support the students. Alongside our knowledge of music content and the pedagogy we can utilize technology to bring music experiences to our students to deepen their music ability and understanding. The new term that encompases these ideas is TPACK. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge.

The model:

Image source: https://educationaltechnology.net/technological-pedagogical-content-knowledge-tpack-framework/

This model shows the three major parts of what a successful teacher considers in each and every lesson. Each individual circle and overlap are important ideas to remember during planning, execution, and evaluation of lessons. The what (content) and how (pedagogical knowledge) should be supported by the technology. In Music Learning Today, Digital Pedagogy for Creating, Performing, and Responding to Music (Bauer p.12-18) these ideas are explored in greater detail. It breaks down each section and intersection and provides the connections and definition for each. 

An in class experiment I will performing will be using a application I learned about in my technology assisted music learning class called Incredibox, I will develop a composition lesson or unit. My planning stages will use lesson plans/unit plans as normal with objectives based on the music standards with a new twist. I will be using Incredibox to not only present composition to the students but with support of the app I will be able to cover more music concepts such as responding to music and the parts such as meter, tempo, and parts. The app will also allow students to perform their compositions. They will then be able respond and critique their composition their own music. I would then also help them understand parts in music. I will be sure to follow up in a future blog post how successful it was. I am excited to begin my TPACK planning for my future lessons.

Here is my track I made from Incredibox as I toyed around with the app.
https://www.incredibox.com/mix/5C369DC49553E-V2