Unpacking the researcher-teacher co-design process of a seamless language learning environment with the TPACK framework

Abstract

Integrating InfoComm Technology (ICT) into teaching and learning poses challenges for teachers, such as the lack of know-how, self-efficacy and time to design interventions. A possible solution is the design of sound Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) environments with relevant content and pedagogical tools to reduce teachers' design efforts. Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) could be used as a framework for understanding how teachers could integrate ICT into classrooms. Originally developed for informing teacher development, recent scholars called for 'repurposing' the framework to guide the design of TEL that encapsulate holistic TPACK knowledge. We therefore employed TPACK to design the TEL environment of 'MyCLOUD' to advance the use of mobile and cloud technologies for seamless Chinese Language learning. In this paper, we unpack how the distributed TPACK resources has contributed to the design of MyCLOUD. The analysis is accomplished through our coding and consolidation of 42 researcher-teacher meeting minutes throughout the developmental period where rounds of design-implementation-reflection- redesign process were jointly carried out by the participants. This is followed by a study of students' perceived usability of the platform. This study therefore demonstrates how the development of TEL can be attained by leveraging TPACK as a basis of technical design.