Vaishali Honawar reports in TPCK - Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge that more teacher colleges incorporate technology into math and science courses rather than just offer them separately.

In his class to train preservice teachers in the use of instructional materials in science, John C. Park, an associate professor of science education at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, uses a tool that breaks down the mystery of the experiment into digestible morsels: a digital video of the experiment that students can pause, rewind, and watch again, alongside a graph of the air pressure inside the bottle.

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accredits more than half the 1,200 teacher-preparation programs in the U.S. It has worked with the International Society for Technology in Education to create a set of technology standards that colleges seeking its accreditation must meet.

These standards include standards that require teacher-candidates to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions that equip them to teach with advanced electronic technology. Candidates also must show they can use technology to support student content learning.

AACTE’s committee on innovation and technology released a handbook on using technology to enhance learning: Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). The book includes chapters on how colleges and districts can integrate technology into specific content areas, as well as professional development of teachers.

Reading this article reminds me of a comment made this month by an assistant superintendent for technology of one of the largest U.S. public school sytems: Any teacher is obsolete who does not integrate advanced electronic technology into classroom lessons. ... We will not hire them. (Bold added to this paraphrase.)

Obsolete! Wow! To the extent that her position represents school leadership views, a major shift has occurred in expectations for teacher performance. Kudos to teachers who meet this standard. Most of you have done it on your own. That's great initiative, worthy of the finest tradition of educators.

I wonder how many of these teachers use Tablet PCs, UMPCs, or other mobile PCs in classrooms. Hmm. I'll try to find out.


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