Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers: A Website Development Model for Integrating Technology and Collaborative Learning in the Classroom

Abstract

Preparing teachers to apply technology to meet the needs of diverse learners is a challenge facing our schools. In order to meet this challenge and increasing technology standards (e.g., NETS), teacher preparation programs need to model and engage candidates in effective teaching practices. Research indicates collaborative learning (e.g., Good & Brophy, 1997; Johnson, Johnson, & Johnson-Holubec, 1988; Slavin, 1990) autonomy (e.g., Boggiano et al., 1992; Kohn , 1993; Wang & Styles, 1976) and integration of technology (e.g., Christensen, 2002; Wang, Hinn & Kanfer, 2001) are effective strategies for enhancing student motivation and meeting the needs of diverse learners. This paper provides a research-based -website development model (i.e., developing a resource website for teachers) that can be applied to any teacher preparation course to demonstrate how to integrate collaborative learning, autonomy and the technology in the classroom.