Like a lighted pathway, the ISTE Standards tell me where to go with my digital-age instructional practices Circa 2001. I had accepted a new role as a "Technology Mentor Teacher" which meant that I would be helping teachers to effectively integrate technology into their instructional practices. I'd be coaching, model teaching, and helping to write "snazzy", tech-infused lesson plans. Now for those who were teaching in 2001 (or those who were students at that time), you might remember that technology in the classroom was... well, scant. There just wasn't much of it. Not to mention, it had to be hard wired to the Internet... except that often, those connections didn't exist in the classroom. (It was hard to do tech infusion without much tech.) I was lucky because the teachers I worked with had 5 computers for student use inside the classroom, but the whole idea of tech infusion was in its infancy and we were all learning together. Additionally, in 2001, there weren't a lot of models for effective technology integration. No TPACK; No SAMR; No Triple E Framework. Nor was there much tried and true experience that could clearly guide teachers in the right direction. There was, however, the ISTE Standards! *cue inspirational lighting and music* At a time when classroom technology was brand new, "stuffing technology into a lesson plan" because it was new and fun was more common than any of us would like to admit. We knew we shouldn't be doing that, but... it was just so shiny and FUN! And did I mention, we didn't have models to guide us? Thank the heavens for the ISTE Standards! Released by the International Society for Technology in Education in 1998, the initial version of the ISTE Standards (called "NETS" back then), alongside learning how to operate a computer, also emphasized technology for research, productivity, creativity, and problem solving. These standards represented how technology could enhance learning, and so became my north star... serving as a guide to help both me and the teachers I worked with to recognize the difference between "using technology to enhance learning" vs. "using technology for technology's sake." They illuminated the destination and clearly pointed us in the right direction. The ISTE Standards (for Students) have gone through a couple of iterations since the 1998 version. And you know what? They've only gotten better. The 2007 version of the standards shifted its focus from USING technology to using technology to LEARN. And the 2016 version of the Standards push the boundaries even further as they aim to TRANSFORM teaching and learning. In my present role, I talk to a lot of teachers who want to infuse more technology into their teaching practices... who know that technology can and should be used for more than leveled reading tests and canned curriculum software. Teachers who want their students to create innovative learning products, solve problems, and learn with others around the world... and who know that technology can help. If you are one of those teachers ^^, the 2016 ISTE Standards can be your best friend. The ISTE Standards can light the path of possibility for more creative, collaborative, and student-centered approaches to teaching and learning. Today, they still serve as my north star and are, by far, still my favorite jam. Like a lighted pathway, the ISTE Standards tell me where to go with my digital-age instructional practices Getting Started Listen, there's a lot of meat to the ISTE Standards. It would be easy for an enthusiastic and highly effective teacher to take a first look, and feel a little overwhelmed & frustrated not knowing where to begin. Sometimes the right thing isn't always the easiest thing to do! And the ISTE Standards are the "right thing" when it comes to tech integration. Let's see if we can make it easy to get started. To that end, I'd like to offer three SUPER SIMPLE ways to dip your toe into the ISTE Standards water, so to speak. Each of the ideas below aligns to at least one ISTE Standard and requires only basic technology skills to get going. Oh yeah, and they're also really powerful learning opportunities. 1. Mystery Skype (ISTE Standards: Digital Citizen, Global Collaborator) Think 20 questions meets the 21st century meets global communication. The premise here is to connect your students with another class somewhere around the world (but don't tell them where). Students engage their prior knowledge, critical thinking, and inquiry skills to guess where the class is located. So many thinking skills involved, and technology is merely the tool. Read more about one teacher's experience with Mystery Skype. Link to Mystery Skype 2. Online Book Club (ISTE Standards: Digital Citizen, Global Collaborator) It's just so simple! Whether you're doing a class read aloud, a literature study, or having students read independently, there never seems to be enough time for all the rich discussion in which you want to engage students. Why not use a digital platform to host book discussions? Cue up some thought-provoking questions, teach students about accountable talk stems, and watch the conversation unfold. Many different tools would lend themselves to digital discussion, including Google Classroom, Edmodo, Schoology, FlipGrid, and Padlet, to name just a few. 3. Virtual Field Trips (ISTE Standard: Knowledge Constructor) Take learning beyond the walls of your classroom! Did you know that many museums, national parks, zoos, and other exciting places offer virtual tours/field trips for students? One of the most amazing things about using technology in the classroom is the way it can transport us to experiences that would otherwise not be possible. How do you find virtual field trips? Here are a couple links to start your search.
We all want to ensure that we are integrating technology into our instructional practices in ways that truly elevate teaching and learning. The ISTE Standards provide a guidebook telling us how students can use technology to become empowered learners, knowledge constructors, and creative communicators. Whether you're tech-savvy or a tech-newbie, you can implement the ISTE Standards. You don't have to master them all at once... you can choose one activity as an entry point to begin. See how it goes. Gain experience. Build confidence. Be Inspired. Let the ISTE Standards point you in the right direction. Cheers, LeeAnn P.S. If the ISTE Standards are already your jam, consider starting your journey to become an ISTE Certified Educator! Check out our session dates and contact me with any questions!
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AuthorI care deeply about helping educators cultivate healthy environments where every student and teacher can learn, grow, and thrive in this digital world! |
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