Technology Pedagogical Content Knowledge(TPCK) and Techno Pedagogy Integration Skill ( TPIS) Among Pre-Service Science Teachers- Case Study of a University Based ICT Based Teacher Education Curriculum

The research Abstract The paper is an attempt to evaluate an effective Technology based Teacher Education course for Pre Service Science Teachers. The Technology in Science Education – a core course - is prescribed for an University based Pre-Service Science teachers Education program. The particular course is evaluated based on the TPACK framework which is an extension of the pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman,1986).The TPACK framework offers a viable and effective means for actual tryout of a Technology enabled Teacher Education Program. The volume of research that extruded from the TPCK/TPACK construct has provided deeper understanding of how teacher knowledge is related to pedagogical integration of digital technologies in educational contexts. As part of curricular transaction during the eleven week semester, the seven dimensions of TPACK viz., Technology Knowledge(TK), Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical Knowledge( PK), Technology Content Knowledge (TCK), Pedagogical content Knowledge (PCK), Technology Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK),TPACK (Technology pedagogical Content Knowledge) and an eighth dimension TechnoPedagogy Integration Skill ( TPIS) was evaluated with reference to the attainment of concepts and acquisition of skills. The effectiveness of the course was assessed by a Pre service Teacher’s TPACK assessment inventory which comprised of an achievement test in Science which assessed pre service teachers attainment of science related concepts based on School level Science. The inventory comprised of a list of questions which pertain to the 7 dimensions as identified by the TPACK framework, The abbreviations and explanations are the same used by Mishra and Kohler( 2006). TechnoPedagogical Integration Skill (TPIS) was assessed by the assessment of teaching performance using technology before and after the course. Studies have reported that the implementation of TPACK framework has contributed to enhancement of Technological and Pedagogical concepts related to the subject (Hammond & Manfra, 2009a; Khan, 2011; Manfra & Hammond, 2008; Schul, 2010a, 2010b,Chai ,Koh and Tsai, 2013,Angeli & Valanides, 2005; Bowers & Stephens, 2011; Mishra & Koehler, 2006; Tee & Lee, 2011; Shafer, 2008). Similar attempts have been done earlier to assess the impact of TPACK using reliable and valid instruments (Schmidt However, the present study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of a teacher preparation course with respect to technological and pedagogical skill acquisition and deployment for teaching science. Content Analysis of the course modules highlighted possibilities to draw parallels with the TPACK framework and it was thus that is was used as a frame of reference for the study.


Introduction
Technology is making its presence felt in almost every facets of life more so in education. Technology-enabled learning environments have become important points of concern for education the world over. This has spearheaded a large volume of literature in classroom practices and teacher roles. It has become necessary for teachers to be accustomed to using technology in a variety of ways as technology has become an important resource for teachers and learners alike. Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) become very important places in which to mould future teachers. TEIs are therefore faced with the challenge of preparing a new generation of teachers to effectively use the new learning tools in their teaching practices. For many teacher education programs, this daunting task requires the acquisition of new resources and expertise as well as careful planning (UNESCO,2012). To reap the full benefits of technology in learning, it is essential that pre service and in-service teachers have basic technology skills and competencies. Teacher education institutions and programmes must provide leadership for preservice and in-service teachers and model new pedagogies and tools for learning.

Background of the study
Studies have reported that the advent and adoption of new technologies have provided teachers with the opportunity to create dynamic, collaborative educational experiences for student learning (Martin & Ertzberger, 2013;Wakefield & Smith, 2012).Assessment of teacher's TPACK has received significant interest among researchers and different methodologies have been explored to conduct the assessment of teaching performance (Abbitt, 2011;Mishra,2012, Harris, Grandgenett, andHofer, 2012;Niess, Lee, Sadria, & Suharwoto,2006).
Studies have revealed that lack of effective professional development targeting the pedagogical uses of computers in the Classroom is one of the most serious obstacles to integrating computers in the curriculum (Bos,2011;Falimi,1999;Grant,1996;Gess-Newsome,2001;Lieberman and Miller,1991;Little,1993, Schrum,1999. The skill based approach focus on teaching teachers how to use computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, internet and graphics. Skill based course are not enough for preparing teachers how to teach with computers ,as they are usually taught in isolation from a pedagogical context (Becker and Reel, 2001;Selinger,2001). In the last decade the trend has been on subject specific computer applications. Teaching about technology use contributes to enhancement of TPACK ( In this study apart from assessment of TPACK by means of achievement tests, Performance assessments is also attempted titled Techno pedagogical Integration Skill (TPIS).
A few teacher education programs have incorporated ICT based pedagogical courses for the undergraduate program with the objective of equipping prospective teachers in knowledge and skills related to Pedagogical use of technology in the classroom (Beck and Wynn,1998;Duhaney, 2001; Mishra, 2008,Wetzel andZambo,1996;Young et al.,2000). It has been often observed that the primary reason for the discrepancy between the goals associated with appropriate technology consideration and current practice is a lack of teacher training

Methodology
The study was conducted in a University based Teacher Education program in Malaysia. The particular course 'Technology in Science Education' was an elective course prescribed in the third year of the four year integrated Teacher education program. The objective of the course was to equip pre service teachers with ICT skills for teaching. Sixty pre-service teachers participated in the study. The group comprised of pre service teachers who had enrolled for various undergraduate programs in Education viz., Technology in Science Education. Students had the option to complete the course within 4 years of the integrated teacher preparation program in ICT . For the year under research 20 students had opted for the course . The duration of course covered 14 weeks . The classroom for conduct of the class and subsequent research were technology enabled classrooms with one computer per student. All computers had net connectivity facilitating conducive techno-pedagogical interventions.

Description of the course
The Teacher education curriculum comprise of two core courses and two electives. The ICT inbuilt course Technology in science education is a course which in a way imbibes and adopts the TPACK in theory as well as practice. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a particular course Technology in Science Education. in TPACK by assessing pre service teachers Techno Pedagogical integrated skill (TPIS) through performance based criteria and assessments over a 10 weeks excluding weeks for Pre testing and Post testing .
The Pre test for teaching was done in the first week and pre testing for all components corresponding to TPACK was done before the commencement of the particular module. The post testing for each component was done on the subsequent week of completing the module to maintain parity with regard to elapsed time of content delivery for each component. The component based concepts which were dealt in each week are given in Table 1 and the courses in Table 2 1.3.2 Description of tools Achievement test for assessing-Technology knowledge (TK) The TK comprised of 10 questions pertaining to fundamentals of computer. The Achievement test prepared by a team of experts with a maximum score of 20 marks was administered by online survey mode. The online test was administered both before (Pre test) and after the module session (Post test). The link to the survey was opened 5 minutes prior to administering and was closed after 15 minutes before onset of Pre test session and post test sessions. The mean pre test and post test achievement scores were compared to assess the effectiveness of the Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online) Vol.11, No.6, 2020 56 curricular intervention with regard to attainment of concepts related to technology. Assignment -for assessing-Pedagogical knowledge (PK) The assignment comprised of a brief write up on any particular theory of learning and how it accepts or contributes to technology based pedagogies. One week was given for submission of assignment. The Assignment was assessed by external raters who were teacher practitioners based on a scale which rated 5 criteria -literature reviewed , content and explanations, analysis and interpretation, justifications given in conclusion and rightness of data seminar-for assessing-Technology Pedagogical knowledge (TPK) The group seminar topic was assigned to the student before the onset of the particular module. The groups were assigned by random selection. Four members comprised a group. Three weeks were given for seminar presentation. The topic assigned pertained to the theme 'Using technology for pedagogy -case study of an technology based Instructional strategy'. The topic thus was common as well as different with regard to the case study. The presentation was rated by participant group, peer group and researcher based on the criteria -The rating scale was assessed by external raters who were teacher practitioners. The scale rated 5 criteria -suitability, feasibility, practicability, association between technology and pedagogy, scope for enhancing affective variables -motivation, arousing curiosity, opportunities for student engagement, opportunities for student exploration, collaboration and networking. The average of the ratings were taken as the mean score for each group. The total mean scores obtained for TCK was compared between the groups and the tests of significance was computed using Analysis of variance Skill assessment -for assessing-Technology Content knowledge (TCK) The Technology content knowledge was assessed by a rating scale before and after the introduction of the concerned module. The task given was identification and collection of appropriate e-resources for teaching a particular science concept. The rating scale was assessed by external raters who were teacher practitioners. The scale rated 5 criteria -suitability ,feasibility ,practicability, divers ability and multimedia inclusivity TPIS The TechnoPedagogical Integration skills (TPIS) is actually the practical implementation of TPACK. TPACK refers to the cognitive domain centered around the attainment of concepts, developing understanding, generating and consolidating knowledge. However, the skill is not implied. Teaching has been described as a skill, the deploying of which becomes an action which in turn reflects a practical approach to a theory. Thus one could infer that TIPS is TPACK in action or the practice of TPACK. Needless to add teaching is a performance therefore performance based assessment was done in the last phase to evaluate the effectiveness of the course with regard to development of TPACK and acquiring skills in TPIS The tool used to estimate TPIS score was an observation schedule cum performance portfolio. The TPIS score was an assessment of actual teaching skills -action based on TPACK or performance group seminar topic was assigned to the student before the onset of the particular module. The pre-test TPIS score and the post test TIPS score. The observation schedule helped in recording observations and enumerating frequencies of positive teacher behavior and bad teacher behavior. TPIS being an integrated concept was assessed at the beginning of the course to avoid the influence of any intervening variable and was referred to as Pre TPIS score.
The Flanders's Interaction Analysis Category system (FIACS) formed the basis in identifying positive and negative teacher behavior. Every time a good teacher behavior is observed the observee gets a 2 and each time a negative behavior is observed the observee gets a zero. observation is a form of continuous assessment .The performance based assessment used for assessing teacher behavior rated 6 criteria on a 1-5 scale viz., time management, class management, control of technology, familiarity with e-resource, level of confidence in using technology for teaching and the level of competency in subject knowledge.Performance based assessment was a summative assessment as it rated overall teacher behavior. The total of positive and negative scores for observations gave the mean observation score (TPIS1) . The total of ratings gave mean rating score for performance (TPIS2) . The total of TPIS1+TPIS2 gave overall mean score for TPIS.

Experimental procedure
The study intended to evaluate the Technology in Science Education based on the components of TPACK-viz., the Technological, Pedagogical and Content knowledge of pre service teachers enrolled for a four year undergraduate pre service teacher education program. The researcher taught the particular course -viz., Technology in Science Education for the prescribed period of 4 months. Before commencement of the course the pre tests were conducted for all the components of TPACK (See Appendix 2). The course had 5 Units-Introduction to computers, Unit ii-Theories of Technology based Instructional strategies Unit iii Introduction to search engines and locating suitable sites related to Science. Unit iv software application software and its pedagogical applications. After the course the post tests were conducted. The pre test mean scores and the post test mean scores were compared with regard to -CK, PK, TK, TPK, TCK, TPK and TPCK. The significance of difference between means were calculated using tests of variance.  Effective ICT practices imply transfer of ICT skills to students through deployment of ICT skills by teachers. Here, the students are a group of 20 pre service teachers. The most desirable of ICT skills that are required and needed for the digital learning community would cover the data gathering skills, information processing skills, networking and collaborative skills .
TPACK framework has been the basis for assessment and investigations on Teachers' pedagogical use of Technology in actual class settings (Koehler and Mishra,2008;Mishra and Koehler,2006).Koehler and Mishra have identified 3 independent components of Knowledge related to Technology, Pedagogy and Content -TK,CK,PK: 3 interrelated -Technology and content(TCK) ,Technology and Pedagogy (TPK) and Pedagogical content (PCK) and one integrated components -TPCK. This study attempts to evaluate the University based pre service teacher education program with regard to its compatibility with TPACK framework and acquisition of Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online) Vol.11, No.6, 2020 58 skills with regard to teaching using technology. The effectiveness of the course was assessed by a Pre service Teachers TPACK assessment inventory adapted from the survey of Teacher's knowledge of teaching and technology (Schmidt et al.,2009) which comprised of an achievement test in Science which assessed pre service teachers attainment of science related concepts based on School level Science. The inventory comprised of a list of questions which pertain to the 7 dimensions as identified by the TPCK framework viz.,The abbreviations and explanations are the same used by Mishra and Kohler( 2006).
A one group pre-test-post test design was adopted for the study. A pre test was conducted on the first week for assessment of techno pedagogical skill. Before commencement of each module spread over 12 weeks, Pre tests was conducted. Each module in the course was aligned to one component of TPCK viz., CK, TK, PK, TCK, PCK, TPK and TPCK. Thus, 7 sets of mean scores were obtained for the 7 component based modules. After completion of each module a post test was conducted for measuring the 7 components. TPIS score was obtained from performance based assessment of teaching from observation schedules framed for the purpose . The assessment of teaching was done in the final week . Details in table 2 Validity and Reliability of the tools The validity of the tools viz, TPACK inventory and TPIS portfolio were estimated by construct and face validity. Construct validity was estimated based on comparison with other tools developed for the same viz., survey of Teacher's knowledge of teaching and technology (Schmidt et al.,2009) and TPACK based Technology Integration Assessment Rubric (Harris et al.,2010). The tools' face validity was ensured by feedback from Teacher educators who rated the inventory with regard to select criteria such as suitability, feasibility and practicability. Reliability was ensured by student assessments done on triangulation of data -participant assessment, peer assessment and teacher assessment ( Table 3) The reliability of each pre test score for each component was estimated using Critical Ratios. An independentsamples t-test was conducted to compare Pre test and Post test scores. Details from Table 1 revealed that there was significant difference between mean scores of pre-test and post test achievement with reference to all the components for which interventions were conducted by means of content delivery, instructional design and performance assessment.

Findings of the study
The

Comparison of frequency distribution of mean gain scores for various sub samples based on Gender and Year of study:
The comparison of biconceptual domains of TPCK viz TCK, PCK ,TPK and consolidated scores viz., TPCK and Acquisition of skills viz., TPIS scores were compared for the sub samples based on Gender and Year of study. The mean gain scores viz., difference between the mean Pre-test and mean post test scores were categorized into the categories High, Average and Low levels. Those whose mean gain scores fall between M(Mean) -S.D (Standard Deviation) of the distribution and M+S.D were categorized as Average and those whose mean gain scores fall below M-S.D were categorized as low . The high level were those whose mean gain scores fell above M+S.D scores.  Figure 1 revealed that greater number of females scored higher than males in the attainment of concepts related to PCK. The results reflect that males exhibited greater capability towards incorporation of application of technology and pedagogical use of technology than females as was testified from the results that revealed that the frequency of males who score high mean gain score of males from the comparison of mean gain scores for TPIS  Figure 2 revealed that greater number of senior level students still scored low in the various dual components of TPCK than the junior level students. This may be due to the fact that the technology competency and pedagogical aptitude of junior students were influenced more by the TPCK intervention than the senior level students. It is also likely that the junior year students had the pre requisites for the course than the senior level students.

Discussion of results
The results revealed that TPCK contributed to the enhancement of all components of TPCK viz, TK, PK, CK, TPK, TCK, PCK. However, the intervention using the components of TPCK helped to enhance the conceptual learning with regard to the component which was focused upon. The least gain score was with reference to the component Technology Knowledge and the highest gain was with reference to Technology Pedagogical knowledge. Similar studies on TPCK have revealed that TK could be enhanced through adequate instructional practices that enables opportunities for handling technology equipments, familiarity of digital resources, digital communication and online peer and community mediated delivery systems (Koh and Divahavan,2011;Harris et al,2010;Hofer and Swan,2008;Lambert and Snowey 2001;Robin,2008) Earlier studies have revealed that TPCK based instruction can enhance CK through appropriate instructional practices and information delivery mechanisms ( Angeli and Valanides 2005;).
These are mainly subjects with which the students have graduated and have acquired foundational bases of the subjects. During preservice training, CK involves gaining knowledge and understanding of concepts and helps to refresh one's concepts from the learner perspectives.
Studies have also reported that TPCK have revealed that TCK could be enhanced through adequate instructional practices that provides learning opportunities for making use of the educational potential of technology which comprise of information collection and organization using Digital tools. The study also revealed that concepts related to TCK are better understood, internalized and practices, when these become mandatory instructional practices in a teacher education curriculum. Technology enabled teacher education programs are excellent avenues whereby the foundations for TCK is imbibed during the preparatory pre service phase of becoming a teacher. During preservice training, TCK involves gaining knowledge and understanding of concepts related to Web 2.0, online tools and social media are introduced and understood. It has been reported that TPCK strategy enhances the constructs pertaining to TCK which is further supplemented with appropriate instructional practices and information delivery mechanisms (Akkoc, The comparison of mean gain scores revealed differential influence of the intervention on the sub samples based on categories selected. The results, hence highlight the relevance of a technology enabled learning environment and technology empowered pedagogies towards building the competence of the pre service teachers in use of technology for teaching. The skill acquisition with regard to pedagogical use of technology was seen to have enhanced as is revealed by the significant test of significance for (TPIS) score .

Conclusion
The TPCK framework offers a frame of reference to teachers as to the modalities that may be followed and the strategies that may be deployed for exploiting the potential of technology for pedagogical use. The fact that acquiring information of all TPCK components has contributed towards acquisition and transference of skills renders a positive feedback to the curriculum transaction conceived and implemented. The study again fortifies and advocates for such similar practices to build the teaching technique competencies of pre service teachers in relevant use of technology for teaching and learning.
The TPCK strategy can be considered as an excellent techno pedagogical tool for inculcating pre service teachers with skills in creativity and resourcefulness so as to enable capability in optimizing the digital resources and technologies for meaningful, relevant and engaged learning