ISTE Student Standards for Technology Integration

How the ISTE Student Standards empower students in the classroom‍

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New: Visit the OPSRC Tech Talks page to view videos and download resource slides on the ISTE Standards for Students, Educators, and Education Leaders.

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The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has been creating standards for effective technology use in education since the 1990s. But how can ISTE’s work help you and your students? 

The seven standards they created in 2016 focus on individual skills that students can build while using technology to learn. Let’s take a look at each of them:‍

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1. ‍Knowledge Constructor
   Today’s students need to do more than just study information in textbooks. They need to learn how to research online and evaluate the information's accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance. They also need to consider the subject they are studying and its real-world application. It’s not just about absorbing knowledge; it’s about taking that knowledge and constructing new learning.
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2. Innovative Designer
   With technology in their hands, students can take the knowledge they are learning and create solutions to real-world problems. They can use methods such as human-centered design process, project-based learning and the scientific method to reach their goals. One example that schools are implementing is a makerspace or fab(rication) lab for students to create by building.
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3. Computational Thinker
   Computers can be powerful tools to help students learn. With them, students can collect, analyze and use data to solve real-world problems. Google Forms can be one way for students to gather information about a subject and then use Google Sheets to learn to analyze that data. Students can also learn how to program computers. Many tools like MIT’s Scratch programming language and websites like Code.org can make learning programming fun.
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4. Creative Communicator
   In the past, student communication in the classroom was limited to the teacher and students physically in that classroom. Now with technology, students can communicate with parents, the community and others using audio and/or video. There are many tools for all different ages that allow students to express themselves as they show their learning. From Seesaw to blog posts to Google Slides presentations, students can learn to use technology to effectively communicate with others.
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5. Global Collaborator
   With internet access available in most classrooms, teachers and students can use technology to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by connecting with others locally and globally. Whether it’s connecting to another classroom for a game of Mystery Skype or using a service like Nepris to bring a scientist into a science class, technology can connect classrooms to the outside world.
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6. Digital Citizen
   With the growing use of technology for learning, it’s important that students learn how to be safe, responsible digital citizens. Having technology and the internet in the classroom can be a great resource; but it can also cause problems. Students need to learn to be positive, safe, legal and ethical as they use technology to communicate with each other. Common Sense Media and Google provide free digital citizenship curriculum that can help. 
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7. Empowered Learner
   As technology is integrated into the classroom, students can play a more active role in choosing how they complete assigned lessons to show their competency with academic standards. If teachers allow students to have flexibility in how assignments are completed, one student could write an essay to show knowledge while another creates a video or a website. Using an LMS like Google Classroom or Canvas allows teachers to communicate lessons digitally, and the LMS allows students to participate even outside of class due to an illness or an extracurricular activity.
   

These examples are just a few of the benefits of implementing the ISTE standards. You can view more resources on the ISTE Standards for Students and download a free poster on the ISTE website. 

If you would like more information or professional development on the ISTE standards or any of the technology tools mentioned, please contact me at kurt.bernhardt@opsrc.net or at 405-563-8602.