I, personally, discovered that TPACK is also about context. The TPACK framework is whole and makes a lot of sense when you depict the TPACK framework and encircle it with context. In addition, when Dr. Mishra introduces the construct NEW, that is, novel, effective, and whole (NEW), this is unbeknown to my knowledge about TPACK. For instance, NEW adds clarity and sensibility to the TPACK framework, since technology is a “new” phenomenon and paradigm shift in the way we live our daily lives. He also articulated that standard approaches in technology do not work, and that creativity is the only solution. I find the former and latter to be very fitting with the TPACK methodological approach.
Finally, I believe that 21st Century Literacies equal TPACK in academia but does not, in most cases, equate to 21st Century Literacies in industry or government. For instance, the US government strives to automate its business rules using online technology to offer public goods and services to its citizens. The US government, in my opinion, builds those enterprise architectures based on content (or government regulations) and based on technology (or online enterprise architectures). The IT systems, however, lack context (on how to operate the enterprise architectures) and pedagogy skills (or having the knowledge, skills and abilities to operate the enterprise architectures). In most cases, finally, only the contractor (or industry) can operate those NEW enterprise architectures, and citizens cannot operate them.

I liked how Dr. Mishra described breaking down frameworks into little pieces and identified the most prevalent ones related to 21st Century Learning. There are some similarities that can be associated with TPACK, such as the relationships of big ideas associated with both. TPACK isolates the intersections, whereas 21st Century Learning is more of a circle of connectedness and NEW process that highlights creativity as an essential component.

This was a terrific video; so many great quotes to hold onto throughout. Reflecting on the “3 big ideas”, it is affirmation to me personally with the direction our school continues to take and the essential importance related to “meta knowledge” and “humanistic knowledge”. Both can easily get missed in public education when overly focused on the foundational or content knowledge.

It seems to me that TPACK is just a small piece of 21st century learning. 21st Century Learning, in educational terms, takes into account the “whole” child/student/learner. Whereas TPACK typically focuses on the technology, pedagogy and content knowledge. What TPACK is missing it the “humanistic knowledge” which is extremely important, particularly as we encourage students to collaborate and communicate with other learners around the world.

In his approach, he brilliantly ties the outcome of TPACK to NEW, then he articulates that we must not refrain from being creative in using TPACK. That said, TPACK equates to creativity. For instance, in the video he allows a 3rd grade teacher to explain the learning benefits of using TPACK on a field trip to Washington, D.C. That is, the teacher uses maps as a TPACK to help the students maneuver and understand the location of monuments in the Nation’s capital.

There is a creative element within the TPACK framework, but not as predominant as his description of 21st Century Learning. The meta knowledge idea is more detailed and related to creativity specifically.

On a side note, this video was such affirmation for me as a school leader. This fall our online program is moving into a vacated elementary building, with such potential for expansion of blended offerings for students K-12. With planning and preparation for the past year, a new K-8 STEAM Tech blended magnet school is launching as a specialized program part of my school. It is project and competency-based, with all core content digital and on-site learning 3 days per week. The “A” for the fine arts is so essential for creativity to be expressed, with dedicated time for students. Fits into the 21st Century Learning definition by Dr. Mishra.

TPACK encourages teacher creativity in using technology to enhance pedagogy. I came across Dr. Mishra’s article on this very lecture in which he states, “The TPACK framework emphasizes the importance of teacher creativity in repurposing technology tools for make them fit pedagogical and disciplinary-learning goals” (2012, p. 14). The difference in the 21st Century Learning framework is that the focus is on both the teachers’ creativity and the students’ creativity.
Reference
Mishra, P., & Deep-Play Research Group. (2012). Rethinking Technology & Creativity in the 21st Century: Crayons are the Future. TechTrends, 56(5), 13–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-012-0594-0

He articulates how we can integrate a technology, content and pedagogy strategy simultaneously. He argues that when we integrate technology, content and pedagogy, that is, we come up with NEW creative solutions. He cautions that too often TPACK is used in isolation. So, TPACK is trans-disciplinary when it is used together in the formation of context. He closes the presentation and shows us where trans-discplinarians and educators live within the TPACK framework.

Trans-disciplinary learning is TPACK and 21st Century Learning. Both have the aspect of possessing a “grounded” understanding of individual disciplines, which allows for the NEW process to build off the foundation. TPACK combined is meant to be an integrated framework, same can be identified with 21st Century Learning. When watching this video, I think of Sir Ken Robinson and his book Creative Schools. His passion for creativity is similar to Dr. Mishra’s, describing the importance in development of creativity in our U.S. public schools. It is an inspiring book with wonderful storylines to make his point, yet Robinson does not provide such a practical framework. I enjoyed Dr. Mishra’s video!

In my mind, TPACK is the beginning of trans-disciplinary thinking. It is one framework which includes pedagogy, a factor that is often disregarded when it comes to integration of technology. I believe 21st Century Learning takes TPACK to the next level by recognizing the importance of trans-disciplinary thinking in teachers and students.