Educating with STEM and TPACK

A guide for teachers

What is STEM?Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

Moving from discrete education towards integration and cross disciplinary learning

Why STEM?Preparing students to thrive in a dynamic and innovative world

In 2009, just 34 percent of U.S. 8th graders were rated proficient or higher in a national math assessment, and more than one in four scored below the basic level.

In an international exam given to 15 year olds in 2009, U.S. high school students ranked significantly behind 12 industrialized nations in science and 17 in math. Students in only 4 industrialized nations scored lower in math.

Only 45 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2011 were ready for college work in math and 30 percent were ready in science. 

Why STEM?

What is TPACK?Teaching at the crossroads

Technological Knowledge (TK)

Content Knowledge (CK)

Pedagogical Knowledge (PK)

TCK

TPK

CPK

TPACK

BenefitsAllows for accurate representations of very large or very small scale processes

Lessons tend to be more student-centered

Fosters group work and cooperation

Enables teachers to educate students in ways that will help them be successful in a technology driven world

Strengthens innovation, problem solving, and critical thinking skills

Provides a variety of opportunities for differentiation

IntegrationSimulations and Interactive

Animations

Software and programs for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and communicating data

Excel

ArcMap

CAD

GeoMapApp

Model-eliciting activities

Problem based learning

Quality Integration

Ask yourself:

Is this the best way to deliver the content?

Is the technology providing an advantage I would not be able to provide without it?

ChallengesResources availability

Both in school and at home

Strict district or regional guidelines

Lack of training or professional development

Time restrictions

Remember: Challenges can always be overcome with perseverance, collaboration, hard work, and dedication. It is our professional responsibility!

ReferencesCataldi, E.F., Laird, J., and KewalRamani, A. (2009). High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 2007(NCES 2009-064). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved September 14, 2010 from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009064

Fleishman, H.L. , Hopstock, P.J. , Pelczar, M.P. and Shelley, B.E. (2010) Highlights from PISA 2009: Performance of U.S. 15-Year-Old Students in Reading, Mathematics, and Science Literacy in an International Context (NCES 2011-004). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved October 7, 2011 from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011004.pdf

National Center for Education Statistics (2009). The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics 2009 (NCES 2010–451). Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. Retrieved September 14, 2010 from http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2009/2010451.pdf