Pedagogical Approach
When selecting new technology to use in the classroom it is important to use a well rounded framework to ensure successful learning for your students. For instance, designing a unit under the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) approach, helps to make sure your lessons are linked to the curriculum, planned appropriately and are using the technology to the best of its ability.
Technological Knowledge
For this unit, we decided that Minecraft would be the best software for us to not only engage students, but also to teach them the concepts that we had in mind. When setting up this technology it is important to consider aspects such as availability to computers and devices, setting up the appropriate MODS for game to run smoothly, student and teacher experience and the cost/time investment to install. It is important to consider these factors first to help reduce any complications down the line.
Pedagogical Knowledge
This knowledge domain focuses on the approaches that will be taken and how they will fit the content that is being addressed. It is important to factor in what techniques/strategies can be used to help make the learning and understanding easier. As well, it is important to use your knowledge of your learners to help anticipate areas of difficulty and create plans or scaffolding to help them accomplish the tasks successfully. For instance, in this unit, we were aware that many of the students had a lot of experience using Minecraft, however, we wanted to ensure that all students were able to understand clearly the curriculum expectations being address. Therefore, we used a Scientific Investigation (Purpose, Materials, Procedure...) to structure their learning appropriately and scaffold for learners at different areas on the continuum.
Content Knowledge
It is important to have a clear knowledge and understanding of what is being taught, especially if you are going to take an inquiry approach. For our unit, the obvious start point was the curriculum documents. Because we were looking to integrate measurement into another curriculum area and we knew that we wanted to build using Minecraft, we decided to look through the Social Studies document for expectations that would be a good fit (Seigneurial System in New France). For there, we selected the Measurement Expectations that would integrate well with Minecraft. Once we had our expectations clearly aligned, we started to plan a unit that directly covered these expectations.
Technological Knowledge
For this unit, we decided that Minecraft would be the best software for us to not only engage students, but also to teach them the concepts that we had in mind. When setting up this technology it is important to consider aspects such as availability to computers and devices, setting up the appropriate MODS for game to run smoothly, student and teacher experience and the cost/time investment to install. It is important to consider these factors first to help reduce any complications down the line.
Pedagogical Knowledge
This knowledge domain focuses on the approaches that will be taken and how they will fit the content that is being addressed. It is important to factor in what techniques/strategies can be used to help make the learning and understanding easier. As well, it is important to use your knowledge of your learners to help anticipate areas of difficulty and create plans or scaffolding to help them accomplish the tasks successfully. For instance, in this unit, we were aware that many of the students had a lot of experience using Minecraft, however, we wanted to ensure that all students were able to understand clearly the curriculum expectations being address. Therefore, we used a Scientific Investigation (Purpose, Materials, Procedure...) to structure their learning appropriately and scaffold for learners at different areas on the continuum.
Content Knowledge
It is important to have a clear knowledge and understanding of what is being taught, especially if you are going to take an inquiry approach. For our unit, the obvious start point was the curriculum documents. Because we were looking to integrate measurement into another curriculum area and we knew that we wanted to build using Minecraft, we decided to look through the Social Studies document for expectations that would be a good fit (Seigneurial System in New France). For there, we selected the Measurement Expectations that would integrate well with Minecraft. Once we had our expectations clearly aligned, we started to plan a unit that directly covered these expectations.