Pedagogical Content Knowledge The Secret Knowledge of Great Teachers

What does a teacher need to know to make good classroom decisions? Knowledge of Content Pedagogical Content Knowledge [PCK] General Pedagogical Knowledge Knowledge of Learners and Learning

Knowledge of Content What teachers know about the subjects they teach Elementary teachers need to know about mathematics, science, English, history/social studies ( and it doesn’t hurt to know some computer technology, fine arts, and health/physical education.) Secondary teachers obvioulsy need to know their discipline (& technology, etc.)

General Pedagogical Knowledge What teachers know about general principles of instruction and classroom management Elementary and secondary teachers need to know about Essential Teaching Skills: Attitudes; Organization; Communication; Focus; Feedback; Questioning; and Review & Closure [Chapter 13: pages 399-406.]

Knowledge of Learners and Learning What teachers know about learners’ capabilities and about effective ways to promote their learning Elementary and secondary teachers need to know about the intellectual, personal, social, and emotional development of their students. psychological explanations for students’ learning and techniques to enhance that learning.

Pedagogical Content Knowledge [PCK] What teachers know that allows them to make a specific subject comprehensible to students. Teachers need to KNOW A LOT! They need to know and understand the K-12 curricular content areas and how to teach student objectives in these areas effectively.

Recipe for PCK First, take your content knowledge {What I know about the subject matter.} Next, take your pedagogy knowledge {What I know about teaching and instructional strategies.} Finally, stir imaginatively and combine creatively

William R. Veal and James G William R. Veal and James G. MaKinster have written extensively about PCK especially in the area of science. Pedagogical Content Knowledge [PCK] in science.

PCK for unit on Water, Weather & Air

So can you tell the difference between these characteristics of expert teaching? Let’s try a case study

What about a different way to assess your understanding of these types of knowledge? Let’s try a multiple choice experience.

And the moral of this story … So the challenge is to learn about your content, your learners, and key principles of teaching & learning. Now put all that understanding together into effective pedagogical content knowledge for each of your instructional objectives. {A Teacher’s PCK may also be called “tricks of the trade,” “rules of thumb,” teaching tips, veteran teachers’ advice, practical wisdom, practitioner’s tacit knowledge, or experts’ heuristics.} Read, Watch, Ask & Learn!!! }