Problem-Based Instruction and Web 2.0: Meeting the Needs of the 21 st Century Learner Beth Bos Curriculum and Instruction Texas State University, San Marcos, USA bb33@txstate.edu Kathryn S. Lee Curriculum and Instruction Texas State University, San Marcos, USA kl10@txstate.edu Abstract: Given the challenge of blending a collaborative web environment with effective learning strategies within the school environment, today’s teachers and pre-service teachers are faced with updating their portfolio of teaching tools. The natural fit for developing creativity and innovation, communication, collaboration skills, fluency in researching and searching for information, critical thinking, problem solving, and comfort within a computer environment (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007) (Partnership for 21 st Century Skills, 2007) is teaching with problem-based instruction (PBL). The following describes an initial study of pre-service teachers who engaged in a PBL Capstone course prior to student teaching. Early indicators suggest the potential of PBL in preparing pre-service teacher to teach for 21 st Century Skills. Introduction The enthusiasm, hopes, dreams, and teaching perspective of many pre-service teachers are reflected in the following quote from a young teacher approaching her first semester of student teaching. Teachers have more information at their fingertips and are able to delve into areas that have been previously inaccessible. Students are able to use technology as a reliable source and cut their footwork in half, which leaves more time to devote to other areas. I think teaching students about the many different ways one can use it [technology] is very important. There are so many resources out there for us to use. Research has become easier and easier. Students need to know where to look and we can help them. Also, teachers have so much available to them on-line. It is amazing what kind of ideas you can find on the web. Technology is the future and we all should be prepared to use it. - Mary Combining 21 st Century teaching tools with appropriate instructional strategies strengthens the potential of technology in teaching and learning. Problem-based instruction (PBL) and 21 st Century Skills advocate using technology to experience learning through problem solving, communicating, collaborating, and thinking innovatively. When looking at an experience-oriented PBL environment, propagated by Web 2.0 technologies, we have a powerful learning experience that prepares students and student teachers to maximize their future potential. The purpose of this paper is to show how teaming technology with a PBL environment creates an effective learning environment for future teachers, addressing the needs of the 21 st Century classroom and transforming every classroom discipline into a living act, a way of interpreting the world, where students can experience that discipline within the terms of 21 st Century expectations. A PBL Teacher Education Capstone course, the last Curriculum and Instruction course taken before student teaching, was studied to see the implications of utilizing Web 2.0 in preparing teachers to teach using 21 st Century Skills. According to the International Society for Technology in Education (2007) and Partnership for 21 st Century Skills (2008) the skills of this century include the ability to think creatively, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes; communication and collaboration, the ability to communicate in multiple media and to work collaboratively to support individual learning and the learning of others; research and information fluency, the ability - 2658 -