The Effect of Dynamic Web Technologies on Student Academic Achievement in Problem-Based Collaborative Learning Environment

Some of the 21st century proficiencies expected from people are determined as collaborative working and problem solving. One way to gain these proficiencies is by using collaborative problem solving based on social constructivism theory. Collaborative problem solving is one of the methods allowing for social constructivism in the class. In education systems where constructivist education programs are common, dynamic Web technologies which support teachers and students in the teaching and learning processes have an important contribution to the IT integration process. In this study, the "Semi-experimental Design model with Pre-test-Post-test Control group" was used. The research aimed at determining the effect of dynamic web technologies on academic achievement in the problem-based collaborative learning environment. In the research, the "Academic Success Test" was applied as pre test-post test as a data collecting tool. This research was conducted during the application period of 8 weeks in 2012-2013. The working group of the research was formed from 104 teacher candidates, 53 of whom were in second teaching (evening classes) and 51 of whom were in first teaching (day-time classes) in the 3rd class of the Education Faculty Computer and Teaching Technologies Teaching department of a state university located in a metropolitan city. The results suggest that students who learned with dynamic web technologies are more successful.