ISTE+Standards

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed a series of technology standards for teachers, students, administrators, technology coaches, and computer science educators. These standards were formerly known as the "NETS" standards (National Educational Technology Standards) but are now simply known as the ISTE Standards for (fill in the blank), e.g. ISTE Standards for Students, ISTE Standards for Teachers, etc. According to the ISTE website: "The family of ISTE Standards works in concert to support students, educators and leaders with clear guidelines for the skills, knowledge and approaches they need to succeed in the digital age. Together, we can innovate education."

Standards for Students Standards for Teachers More Information
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Standards for Students
Standards for Students can be found here. Shared with permission from ISTE. ISTE Standards • Students. ISTE Standards for Students, Second Edition, ©2007, ISTE® (International Society for Technology in Education), iste.org. All rights reserved.

As you can see, the standards do NOT enumerate technical skills that students should master. Instead, the standards speak largely to how students should be able to use technology within the context of we are already teaching them in schools: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, citizenship, etc.

From the ISTE website: "Our students are at the center of everything we do. As educators, our foremost goal is to prepare them for their future. The ISTE Standards·S describe the skills and knowledge they need to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly global and digital society."

As music teachers, we are not exempt from the collective responsibility of helping students "learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly global and digital society." If we don't join in on this collective responsibility, then our subject area may become even more marginalized. Conversely, if we do engage students with learning through technology, they will realize that music is just as valid and relevant in their lives as other subject areas.

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Standards for Teachers
Standards for teachers can be found here. Shared with permission from ISTE. ISTE Standards • Teachers ISTE Standards for Teachers, Second Edition, ©2008, ISTE® (International Society for Technology in Education), iste.org. All rights reserved.

Much like the Standards for Students, these standards do not list technical skills needed for teachers to successfully integrate technology. Many of the Standards for Teachers mirror the students' standards. The goal of this Wiki is to help music teachers have a better understanding of how to facilitate student learning through technology, how to design and develop technology-based (or at least technology-inclusive) learning experiences and assesments, model digital age work and learning, etc.

From the ISTE website: "Teachers have always held the key to student success. But their role is changing. The ISTE Standards·T define the new skills and pedagogical insights educators need to teach, work and learn in the digital age."

Through teaching with technology, I have found that my role has very much changed from that of "the sage on the stage" and //giving// knowledge to students to that of a facilitator who //guides// students towards //constructing their own meaning and understanding// of the content. These standards help teachers understand what is needed to make that happen.

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More Information
If you are interested in seeing information about the Standards for Administrators, Coaches, and Computer Science Educators, click here. Shared with permission from ISTE. ©2007-2011, ISTE® (International Society for Technology in Education), iste.org. All rights reserved.

For a list of resources that have earned ISTE's "Seal of Alignment" to their standards and to learn more about what it takes to earn this seal, click here.

For information about ISTE's "Essential Conditions" that are "necessary to effectively leverage technology for learning", click here.

For a great resource on how to implement these standards in your own classroom, click here.

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