A Curriculum Development Utilizing TPACK as Content Framework to Enhance Digital Courseware Production Competency for Teachers

Abstract

Regarding the lack of digital courseware, especially in the Social Studies subject which could well represent the Thai traditional society, social studies teachers must possess competency to create digital courseware based on local and learner’s needs, situational adaptable, as well as uniquely different from other commercial or imported courseware. Therefore, it is very important to develop a curriculum to enhance digital courseware production competency for social studies teachers by applying the principle of TPACK as its content framework. This paper exhibits the experiment of applying a curriculum utilizing TPACK as the content framework to 11 social studies teachers in Punpin district in Southern Thailand. It is found that knowledge in applying social studies pedagogy to digital courseware production (adapted from PCK), knowledge in using technology to collect resources of social studies content (adapted from TCK) and knowledge in using computer program for digital courseware production (adapted from TPK) should be appropriately adapted based on existed knowledge and experience of teachers. In addition, the learning of the three knowledge areas should be integrated for better digital courseware production competency.  It is recommended that knowledge in using technology to collect resources of social studies content and knowledge in using computer program for digital courseware production should be added in the learning management of knowledge in applying social studies pedagogy to digital courseware production in order for the teachers to see the overall picture of digital courseware and to guide and plan for the better self-production of digital courseware. It is also noted that follow-up coaching and encouragement is necessary to keep teachers participating in the curriculum accomplishing their productions.