Leadership in Technology: One Educational Preparation Program’s Journey for Teaching Educational Technology to Teacher Candidates
Abstract: Technology is a part of every students' daily life. Therefore, teacher education programs need to meet the digital demand and begin to prepare teacher candidates for their future in teaching with technology. To meet the needs of their future students, candidates must be prepared to integrate technology into their teaching as well as be prepared to teach online. Teacher candidates must create learning opportunities for their students to learn with and through technology. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) structure was designed for teachers to understand the relationships between and among technology, pedagogy, and content. The purpose of this research was to revise traditional instruction where the professor models and implements technology tools so as to allow candidates the opportunity to develop their TPACK in their two years in a teacher education program. To develop the TPACK of teacher candidates, education preparation professionals worked together to design and implement the School of Education, Technology Integration Project. Through the innovative approach developed by this team of professors, the school of education has changed its’ coursework in all programs to include more online teaching, the inclusion of technology for teaching content, and the use of assistive technology. As a result, former students are reporting that they are seen as teacher technology leaders and showcase technology lessons at their schools.