1 TPACK model

Implementing a VGS is a task that requires to have in mind and count with knowledge in different disciplines. That is why the first thing to have in mind when thinking about implementing a VGS is a model that help us to organize and visualized the relationships between these disciplines.

The technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) model proposed by Mishra and Koehler (2009), is a valuable tool that states that any teacher capacitation in the effective use of any digital technology need to consider 3 bodies of knowledge:

• Technological (TK): About the system or technology that needs to be used.
• Pedagogical (PK): About the best didactic procedures to enhance the learning of the students.
• Content (CK): About the specific subject matter.

But this model doesn’t just put its attention in these elements as separate unites needed for the introduction of DT in the classrooms. It specially focuses on the interrelationships among these elements: the Pedagogical knowledge of the content  (PCK), the Technological knowledge about the content   (TCK), the Technological knowledge about the pedagogy  (TPK) and at the core of the interactions the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). These elements are shown the next figure.

All this information is summarized in the words of Koehler and Mishra (2009):

“TPACK is the basis of effective teaching with technology, requiring an understanding of the representation of concepts using technologies; pedagogical techniques that use technologies in constructive ways to teach content; knowledge of what makes concepts difficult or easy to learn and how technology can help redress some of the problems that students face; knowledge of students’ prior knowledge and theories of epistemology; and knowledge of how technologies can be used to build on existing knowledge to develop new epistemologies or strengthen old ones.” (p.66)

Therefore, in this process of applying a VGS it is crucial to have a clear and deep knowledge about the technology to use, the pedagogy that justifies and supports the use of that technology in the classroom and the specific knowledge (content) that wants to be developed with the use of the simulation. Facilitators can try to master all this information in order to properly introduce VGS into their courses, or they can try to form a TPACK-alliance in their faculties with experts in each element of the TPACK.

In this guide we try to provide the basic information of each element for the introduction of the VGS “Hello, you must be Flo!” into the curriculum of health care related disciplines.