The International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) is a set of standards outlining learning outcomes in a technology driven culture. The standards are differentiated for various stakeholders in education such as administrators, tech coaches, teachers and students. ISTE represents a, “home to a passionate community of global educators who believe in the power of technology to transform teaching and learning, accelerate innovation and solve tough problems in education,” (About ISTE). The ISTE organization periodically updates the standards to reflect the continuously evolving educational and technology theory in an ever advancing technology driven world. Click on the links below to view the the most recent ISTE standards:
The table below shows numerous similarities between the ISTE standard for Leaders and Coaches.
Collectively educational leaders and tech coaches are to work together to successfully implement technology/learning initiatives outlined by ISTE. The educational leaders have the responsibility to reach out the school the board of education and the community and the tech coaches have the responsibility to reach into the school to the teachers and students in general.
The tech coaches have an important role in assisting teachers as they learn about and try out new technologies. The support that tech coaches provide is critical to gaining acceptance among the teachers for new technology initiatives. Another critical role for the tech coaches is to provide effective technology training through positive support, modeling, and exposure to best practices. The ISTE standards for tech coaches provides a valuable road map for the thought process behind enhancing learning through technology. ISTE is strong with developing the habits of the mind such as digital citizenry, continuous professional growth, and networking beyond the building that are needed to transform the school for 21st century learning.
ISTE also promotes branching out for both students and professionals to learn beyond the school walls. Tech coaches, teachers, and leaders can learn from others and give back through PLN’s and blogs. Tremendous online training opportunities now exist and many do not cost money. The ISTE standards also promote attendance and presentations at technology and learning conferences. There is a strong push in ISTE to move great ideas out of isolation and into the arena of world wide sharing. This is the theory behind ISTE’s mission to “accelerate innovation and solve tough problems in education.” Through the guidance set forth by the ISTE standards education leaders, tech coaches, and teachers collectively make effective team that models and promotes lifelong learning and continued development of professional practice.
Please comment if you use ISTE in your school. I would love to hear about your best success or best failure. We can learn from both.
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