Pedagogical Content Knowledge is a teacher’s ability to merge vast subject matter knowledge and helpful teaching methods to assist learners in grasping tough ideas.

The theory was created by Lee Shulman in the 1980s. He was an educational psychologist and professor emeritus at the Standard Graduate School of Education (GSE).

Shulman debated that a top subject matter understanding and general pedagogical skills, tutors should grasp how to teach subjects in effective ways that learners can easily grasp.

Moreover, the PCK aim on learning both what to teach and how to teach it in ways that make sense to certain students.

It as well allows tutors to forecast learner errors and select suitable details. And hence adopt their teaching to the specific demands of the content.

In contrast to other kinds of knowledge, PCK is a ‘’special amalgam’’ that changes broad knowledge and turns into a unique shape of expert knowledge. This kind of knowledge is exactly adopted for helpful instruction.

In the next section, we will discuss in detail the Pedagogical Content Knowledge with examples.

What is Pedagogical Content Knowledge? Who is it for?

PCK is a special kind of expertise that blends and combines a huge amount of knowledge of a subject with the best ways to teach it to certain learners. 

This theory closes the gap between learning a topic's content knowledge and learning how to manage a classroom (Pedagogical knowledge).

The PCK is the connection of 3 things.

• Subject Knowledge- Huge knowledge of what needs to be clarified

• Pedagogical Knowledge- A method for explaining successfully

• Background knowledge- This theory is designed for learners' needs, background and mistakes.

Who is PCK designed for

Below are the key reasons PCK theory is aimed at.

1. Classroom teachers 

This theory is a knowledge base, and it is separate from a teaching expert or a subject specialist. For example, an accounting teacher versus an accountant. 

2. Novice and Preservice teachers

The Key part of creating pedagogical content knowledge of early teacher training to assist new tutors. It teaches them how they can move far beyond just narrating facts to changing them into teachable forms.

3. Teacher educators

Those who prepare and guide tutors utilise PCK to model how tricky topics must be broken down into different parts. Also, it introduces plenty of groups of learners. Consult with the best  PGCE Assignment help UK to grab more info.

4. Educational Policy Makers

One of the main aims of PCK theory is to inform teacher certification, licensure exams, and set standards for expert development initiatives. 

Main Elements of Pedagogical Content Example

• Knowledge of students’ knowledge and mistakes- One of the main elements of PCK theory is that tutors have to grasp common learning methods and mistakes in their subject domain. Also, tackle learning challenges, for instance, the false belief that lands float on water.

• Syllabus Knowledge- A syllabus knowledge is what must be taught to students within a syllabus, such as the awareness of learning standards. And as well in what way to order content on the way to them.

• Instructional Methods-Helpful teaching needs methods that are adapted to the subject content as well as the needs of every student. These are direct guidance and active practice of analogies.

• Assessment-Tutors must grasp how to evaluate learners’ knowledge using a lot of methods that assess their knowledge of the content. Also, their skill to use it in a lot of settings.

• Reflective Practice-One of the main features of PCK is the capability to reflect on tutoring experiences access the value of guidance. And then create changes based on proof from the classroom.

How to apply Pedagogical Knowledge in the classroom

In order to use and apply Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in the classroom, tutors should merge and combine their huge knowledge with teaching methods. Also, they must forecast students’ issues, utilise a lot of evaluations, and they can use scaffold learning.   

This learning offers temporary support, like examples, prompts, or breaking tasks down. The theory supports students in mastering new skills. From easy to tricky, motivate dialogue, and reveal regularly how students experience and grasp the content. 

Moreover, the theory selects certain activities such as case studies or problem-solving learning, teaches the concepts in sequence logically, offer beset response and debating challenges with peers to improve guidance.

Here are the key strategies of apply a PCK theory.

1. Know your students' thinking

• Forecast Problems- Forecast common issues and then present substitute ideas that students may have about a topic.

• Use probing Questions- Being a teacher, you must ask questions to reveal student thinking, not only check for replies. But as well motivate a genuine grasp.

2. Design for knowledge

• Scaffold concepts- Create from basic skills to tricky ideas, and make sure every student masters these basics before moving on to another concept.

• Choose certain methods- You must pick teaching methods such as PBL in STEM, case studies in humanities, and select the best one that is ideal for your field.

• Create links- Teachers must display how ideas connect to practical life examples.

3. Access for insight

• Go beyond insight- You must apply and use evaluations that tell your learners how they grasp, not only what they remember. 

• Use feedback- Offer certain feedback that directs learners on the way to the right knowledge, as indicated by assessment outcomes.

4. Increase Huge connection

• Promote Dialogue- Teachers utilise good practices such as Four As or Think Pair Share to get students talking and increase learning.

• Unite Writing- Finally, create ample chances for students to write about solid content, and hence they overcome the thinker block.

Examples of Pedagogical Content Knowledge

English

Content Knowledge: Learning grammatical rules and sentence structure reflects content knowledge.

PCK: Recognise that young children usually fail to distinguish between adjectives and adverbs, the instructor creates activities that stress this distinction, such as colour-coded cards or interactive web games.

Mathematics:

Content Knowledge: Understanding fundamental mathematical processes.
PCK: Spotting that youngsters may struggle with abstract number concepts, the instructor teaches addition and subtraction using physical items such as counting blocks and visual aids.

Science

Content Knowledge: Understanding the water cycle is part of the content knowledge.
PCK: The instructor understands that the notion of evaporation might be unclear to young students. As a result, students may do a real-world experiment, such as placing a shallow dish of water in the sun, to make the notion more real.