Project RITE (Research of Instructional Technology in Education) Research Proposal: How Does a Web 2.0 Based Technology Integration Course Develop TPACK Ready Preservice Teachers?

Today’s educational environment is vastly different than it was even 5 years ago. The everchanging landscape now involves not only more rigorous standardized testing but also requires more accountability by both student and teacher alike. These factors continue to require more classroom reform across the board, which has teachers somewhat scrambling for creative ideas to reach their students in new ways that impact test scores. This research study sought to determine how much more prepared preservice teachers are to integrate Web 2.0 technology into their content after completing a technology integration course. It evaluated 73 preservice teachers’ responses to a 50-60 item survey. The survey, based on a 5-point Likert scale, evaluated how prepared preservice teachers were to utilize technology in their content area and how prepared they felt to teach after completing a technology integration course. Lastly it sought to determine the degree to which preservice teachers understand how technology affects pedagogy. Specifically, were they TPACK ready after completing a technology integration course. Results showed that they were indeed more TPACK ready as well as more prepared to use the Web 2.0 tools to better enhance their own specialty areas.