ISTE Standards Reflection
ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education
The ISTE Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers
Effective teachers model and apply the ISTE Standards for students as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community. All teachers should meet the following standards and performance indicators. As a preservice teacher I have begun to:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
My Narrative:
In a world where technology is progressing so rapidly, I have found it hard to keep up with all of the new resources available to me as a teacher. Thanks to my recent technology class, I now feel like I am better equipped to utilize a variety of technology resources; not to mention, I am more confident in my ability to learn new programs for implementation in my classroom. I have always been interested in technology and seen the benefits it has on education, but at the same time I am leery of what too much technology can do to a student. You often hear about the negative effects technology has on this generation's children, so I cannot help but be skeptical of the effects it may have on students at school. I am beginning to appreciate the benefits of technology in school, when it is used appropriately. It can be used to enhance student collaboration and creativity, while providing digital record-keeping of student progress to the teacher and parents. One project that I have completed, which I feel embodies the ISTE Standard for facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity, is included below. I developed a WebQuest for students to study the history of Cinco De Mayo. A WebQuest is an online learning tool, tailored to assist students in researching one distinct topic. It is a great way to introduce students to the task of online research, while being able to monitor their activity and assure the accuracy of their sources. One of the biggest issues with information that is available on the internet, is that it is not always factual; this can cause some issues for students who are allowed too much freedom to roam around online. Luckily, I was able to vet all the available resources on my WebQuest beforehand, to assure their authenticity.
Exhibit 1: WebQuest
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the Standards•S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology
standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
My Narrative:
Now that I have new-found knowledge of different technological resources, I feel confident in my ability to incorporate them in my classroom when they will be most beneficial and appropriate for student development. This course has taught me how technology can be utilized to expand student thinking and enhance a variety of lesson activities. Before this course, I was concerned that the Common Core Standards might limit the scope of my curriculum. I now realize that it is up to me to strengthen any set curriculum by incorporating technology in profound ways. The Language Experience Story I have linked below was a collaborative narrative I assisted one student in creating, with the help of technology. Using a camera and word document application, I was able to transform one student's writing and illustrations into a physical text that he was proud to read. This was a student who, when we first met, had very little interest in reading. By the end of this process however, he was extremely engaged and interested in reading something for the first time. My use of technology, in this instance, improved this student's engagement and attitude toward learning. This is easily something older elementary students could do to manage their own learning. Another fun activity I learned in this course was podcasting. Teachers can use podcast recordings as mentor material, and students can create podcasts to summarize their learning and understanding of a topic. Podcasts are easy to create using a variety of free computer software (i.e. iMovie, GarageBand, Audacity, and Movie Maker) and are a great alternative to typical oral presentations.
Exhibit 1: Language Experience Story
Exhibit 2: Podcast
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:
a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information
resources to support research and learning
My Narrative:
I like to think that I maintain a fair knowledge-base of the digital resources available to me as a professional. As a teacher, technology is a powerful tool we can use to stay connected and relevant in today's rapidly advancing society. As I mentioned before, I have learned to use new networking tools to communicate with my student's parents and with faculty. There are even apps available to allow parents the ability to view live video feed of what their children are doing at school each day. Staying up-to-date on these innovations will support new ways of teaching, and the possibilities are endless! During my technology course, I created a website to showcase my abilities as a teacher. Given my past experience with marketing, I was already familiar with the process and enjoyed building upon my previous knowledge. This project allowed me the opportunity to expand my proficiency and experiment with new web interfaces. My podcast assignment, on the other hand, was a brand new experience for me. I had very little experience listening to podcasts and definitely never created my own podcast before. I felt it would be most relevant to learn using a Mac program, GarageBand or iMovie, because I am more familiar with Mac devices than anything else. I use a Mac laptop for personal and educational purposes, and the school district I work in uses Macs as well. I chose to learn GarageBand for this assignment and, although it was challenging, it proved to be inherent and effective. I was able to evaluate my learning at the end of this process, demonstrate the usefulness of GarageBand, and determine other possible applications for it.
Exhibit 1: Website
Exhibit 2: Podcast
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:
a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools
My Narrative:
Throughout this technology course, I was exposed to the realities of copyright and legal use of information. As a student and a teacher, it is my responsibility to understand the laws and practices involved in using a variety of resources. I made sure to site all the sources I used to collect information for my podcast. When photographing or filming within a classroom, I required parent approval before obtaining and sharing any digital media of the children. It is important to follow these guidelines, not only for your own protection as a teacher, but also to set a strong example for your students. In this sense, the digital-age can be intimidating and confusing. It can also be beneficial for student awareness of cultures and issues outside the confines of their every day lives. My WebQuest, for example, encourages students to learn about Mexican culture and the history of all countries involved in the creation of Cinco De Mayo. This dual-purpose task allows students an opportunity to expand both their cultural and digital intelligences. The more students know about the rest of the world and how to utilize technology, the more well-rounded they become as individuals.
Exhibit 1: Podcast
Exhibit 2: WebQuest
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community
building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others
c. evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
My Narrative:
Just as our students learn and grow throughout their education, we as teachers must do the same. This profession is a constant learning experience in which we must maneuver and adjust accordingly in order to be the best educators possible. This means constantly researching and networking to learn and promote innovative digital resources. One may have to step outside their comfort zone from time to time, or every day if necessary, in order to stay on top of the best practices for student development. In this technology course I constantly pushed myself to try new things, and lent a helping hand whenever I had knowledge to share with my peers. Although it was challenging at times, I knew that any skills I learned would be useful in my classroom and beneficial to my students. My teacher website is a great example of how my dedication to utilizing technology has paid off. This webpage is intended to serve as a resource for teachers, parents, faculty, and peers who what to learn more about me and what I have to offer as a teacher. I will be able to update this website for years to come, based on my role and vision as an educator. Another tool I learned to use during this course was iMovie. I used this program for an assignment (Project TEAM) to edit video of myself teaching, and insert clips of commentary I recorded to critique my own instruction methods. Not only was it eye-opening to watch myself in action, but I also gained a new appreciation for filming and video editing.
Exhibit 1: Website
Exhibit 2: Project TEAM (Unable to include for permission purposes)
Final Reflections:
I feel that, in all professions, it is important to not become too comfortable in your practices. As a teacher, what was standard classroom practice ten years ago is drastically different now. As our societies evolve and our technology advances, we too must evolve as teachers to make the most of our resources. It is becoming nearly impossible to stay up to date on all the new digital tools available to us, because technology is progressing faster than we are able to learn and incorporate it; but, this also means that the number of possibilities available at any give time is astounding. Technology has become a crucial element of life in the digital-age, so our success, in many ways, is dependent on our digital literacy. This class has helped me expand my digital knowledge and I walk away knowing that you can always learn more! More programs, more apps, more devices, and more ways to utilize all of them. As an educator, you can never know too much and you cannot be afraid to ask for help. Chances are, the people around you know something about technology that you don't. The world is one big learning community.