Science/Math Technologies

Although I explored most of the science/math technologies that were available to explore through the class website the one that struck me as the most interesting was called "Stellarium." I really enjoyed exploring this application because I have always been a huge fan of the solar system and stars and astronomy. It was fun to review what I already know about the constellations and their names and also interesting to see stars that I had not seen before because the night sky in Provo is very dim. The program shows the stars and planets seen in the sky but it also has the options to display the names of the constellations and their maps. I was still able to recognize Orion, Orion's Nebula, Betelgeuse and Polaris among a few others. I liked that I could also search for stars, planets or constellations by their names and the program would locate it in the sky and mark it. Since nighttime field trips are not necessarily realistic to do in a classroom, using this program would help teach students about astronomy and spark an interest of the subject in them. 

TPACK

TPACK stands for technological pedagogical and content knowledge. It is important for teachers to have knowledge of three areas of TPACK which are technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge. TK is knowledge required to understand and use various technologies in the classroom. PK is general knowledge and skills developed by a teacher to understand how to best teach a classroom. CK is the knowledge of facts and information about a particular domain. It is most effective if a teacher is efficient in each three of these areas to most enhance learning in the classroom. When technology is incorporated with activities students are engaged in their learning and excited about what they can do and learn from technology.