Learning technology by design
Posted May 22, 2009
on:Being passionate about my belief is one thing, finding a reliable source for validation about such belief is quite another. The wisdom of Punya Mishra goes a long way when convincing others about the value of contextual learning:
Teachers learning to use technology for pedagogy is best achieved by situating them in contexts that honor the rich connections between technology, the subject matter (content) and the means of teaching it (the pedagogy). This led to a pedagogical approach we have called Learning Technology by Design.
I have been a follower of the TPACK approach for sometime but can only manage to apply it in a one-to-one project-based situation, e.g. when involved in major course redesign projects. The TPACK framework has become intrinsic in my practice, so much so that I no longer think about it, it just happens. Time and again I’ve observed the holistic development of those with whom I collaborated, becoming advocates and mentors themselves. Reconnecting with Punya’s writing tonight reinforced once again why we need such a framework.
In the coming weeks, my goal is to continue the journey that I’ve started, collaborating with academic staff to learn technology by design. This time though there are opportunities to foster community of practice.
I felt it important to record my thoughts here about approaches to academic development as I take part in an institutional-wide project , a big component of which is shifting existing mindsets about the use of learning management systems and associated tools and features.
6 Responses to "Learning technology by design"

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1 | Punya Mishra
May 22, 2009 at 4:55 am
Dear Nona, it was great to stumble across your blog this afternoon (as I recover from a bout of flu) and a pleasure to read your response to the TPACK framework. What you said, “The TPACK framework has become intrinsic in my practice, so much so that I no longer think about it, it just happens” is something that I think many true educators have always understood – just that the phrase TPACK didn’t exist till recently… so in some way that Matt and I have done is just placed a label on something that educators (the good one at least) have always known. I am also humbled by your use of the word “wisdom” with respect to something I had written – I have to let my wife and kids know this – wisdom is not always a word they associate with me 🙂
thanks for writing and keep up the good work.