Teaching expertise reconsidered: The Technology, Pedagogy, Content and Space (TPeCS) knowledge framework

Yael Kali, Ornit Sagy, Maya Benichou, Osnat Atias, Rachel Levin-Peled

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

School practitioners are increasingly expected to lead construction projects in their schools to create future learning spaces (FLSs) that support learning in today’s networked society. This study examined the process by which practitioners of one school developed their readiness to incorporate an FLS into the school via a long-lasting research–practice partnership (RPP) that focused on co-designing learning materials for contemporary teaching. To conceptualize this process, we introduce the Technology, Pedagogy, Content and Space (TPeCS) knowledge framework, which expands current conceptualizations of teaching expertise by tying them into the emerging field of FLSs. We interpret practitioners’ learning within a series of action–reaction progressive developments along a two-year timeline of the partnership. Visits to an FLS, where researchers modeled, coached and then faded their guidance along this timeline played a key role in practitioners’ development of readiness to incorporate an FLS into their school. The pedagogical domain was the most challenging among all the dimensions of TPeCS. We conclude that school practitioners’ involvement leading FLS endeavors within their schools can serve as an unprecedented opportunity for practitioners to develop contemporary teaching skills, with FLSs serving as ideal spaces that make pedagogy visible. Practitioner Notes What is already known about this topic School practitioners are increasingly expected to participate in construction/renovation projects of FLSs. Teaching expertise is often conceptualized in terms of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPaCK). What this paper adds A novel framework for conceptualizing teaching expertise as the competence to flexibly use knowledge that combines technological, pedagogical, content and space (TPeCS) considerations. The pedagogical component within TPeCS has a bottleneck quality. Reducing pedagogical gaps accelerates the development of other TPeCS components. Visits to state-of-the-art FLSs, involving modeling, coaching and fading of expert guidance can foster practitioners’ development of TPeCS knowledge and competencies, increasing their readiness to incorporate FLSs into their schools. FLSs and specifically the use of large digital displays are ideal for making pedagogy visible. Implications for practice and/or policy School practitioners can, and should, be key players in leading FLS endeavors within their schools. When appropriately guided, this can serve as an unprecedented opportunity for practitioners to develop contemporary teaching skills.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2162-2177
Number of pages16
JournalBritish Journal of Educational Technology
Volume50
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 British Educational Research Association

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

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