Wicked Problem Project Part-B: Applying TPACK

Technology and Pedagogy
When teaching chemistry, I have found that modeling and coaching students through the process of organizing and processing information to be the most effective. The drill and kill and having students memorize a number of steps has been less effective.  I typically give them a guided worksheet to go along with the videos for several reasons. First, they can review it later without going back online. Second, they are more engaged on the learning process if they are writing it down and working through practice problems. Third, I have a physical record of their efforts as well as s teaching tool should they have any difficulties understanding the topics from the videos.

Technology and Content
Moodle in combination with Camtasia has allowed me to record these coaching sessions and post them on an easy to use and secure location for students to access 24/7. They can go through these videos at their own pace over and over again if they need to. If they still need help understanding the topic, at least we have a common starting point. Since they are on the Internet while viewing the videos, I can also link them to online activities, demonstrations and You Tube videos demonstrating chemistry concepts in different ways to engage them in the content. I can also have them e-mail me or message their classmates in a forum to discuss a particular problem or concept.

Pedagogy and Content
In order to make the content more accessible and more useful at home, I am making an attempt to reach out to the parents and involve them in this process. To do this I have created a video introducing them to Moodle and how the current exam review process will work. I have sent this to all the parents for whom I have an e-mail address. Based on the effectiveness of this trial I am planning on doing something similar at the beginning of the next school year. To improve parent communication I would like to try and get every parent's e-mail or a cell number that I can send a text to via Remind 101. This way I would have a way to send out short quick information to parents to keep them involved. It is my belief that if the parents understand how they can help their student be successful, more of them will. I have found the tutorial videos to be very helpful for students that watch them. However, based on my recent survey, I have also found that most students only access these videos at school when they have time. Changing the "homework" paradigm for parents and students is not an overnight process. It is my belief that only through improved communications among parents, students and teachers can we make this change and increase the success of our students together.