Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

In some ways I preferred synchronous because it seems like it would keep students' attention better. Students would be more likely to goof off during a recording, causing us to possibly re-record, but there's no going back if you're live. Synchronous would work better for demonstrating actual communication in German with a native speaker. For such activities, synchronous could be very helpful.
Overall, asynchronous seems to offer more benefits for German. As a class, we would have the opportunity to replay difficult speech patterns rather than asking someone to repeat themselves. It would also give me the opportunity to make sure that all video that we as a class might send out will be respectful. I would like to use asynchronous video to communicate with a class in Germany. It would be a big step above having a German penpal. Students would prepare video messages to send to their German peers. This would give them a realistic context for communicating in German.

The Difference Between TPACK and TPK

TPK in German instruction will simply be using technology to help students to learn. This could be anything from having students collaborate using Google docs to using powerpoint presentations to keep students' interest. These activities could be used in almost any other classroom to help students learn while using technology. Collaborating can help students to share what they learn and gives them a way to share it while Google docs give them technology through which they can do it.

TPK only becomes TPACK when it involves an activity that is only applicable to the German classroom. Having students create videos in which they perform a script which they have created, focusing on proper German pronunciation, shows TPACK. It serves a specific purpose in German, it gives the students an opportunity to be creative as they approach German, motivating them to learn, and it utilizes technology to do it.

Synchronous Video Messaging

Asynchronous Video Screen Shot