PCK focuses on the *teaching* of a specific subject. It involves understanding how to:
* Represent the subject matter knowledge in ways that are understandable to students: This goes beyond simply knowing the content; it's about knowing how to explain it, illustrate it, and connect it to students' prior knowledge.
* Understand what makes the subject matter difficult to learn: This includes identifying common misconceptions and stumbling blocks students encounter.
* Select appropriate teaching strategies and resources: This involves choosing methods and materials that effectively address the specific learning needs of students and the nature of the content.
* Assess student understanding: This means knowing how to determine whether students have grasped the concepts and can apply them.
In short, PCK is about the intersection of subject matter knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. It's not simply knowing *what* to teach, but *how* to teach it effectively to a diverse group of learners. A deep understanding of the discipline is crucial, but it's only one part of the broader PCK framework.