All About Standards

After taking the standard assessment and looking over my results, I rated highest in Standard 2 (design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments) Standard 3 (model digital-age work and learning) and Standard 5 (engage in professional growth and leadership). My lowest ranking standard was Standard 4 (promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility). Of the missed answers, nothing really surprised me when looking back at the questions. The few problems that I missed were those problems that while taking the test, I struggled with them or were unsure of the answers, but answered them to the best of my ability.

The ISTE Technology Standards for Teachers, include:

1)  Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
2)  Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
3)  Model digital age work and learning
4)  Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
5)  Engage in professional growth and leadership

The ISTE Technology Standards for Students, include:

1)  Creativity and innovation
2)  Communication and collaboration
3)  Research and information fluency
4)  Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
5)  Digital citizenship
6)  Technology operations and concepts

When comparing these standards there are several similarities that I see between the teaching standards and student standards. They both discus digital citizenship and responsibility. The standard is important for students to learn but even more important for the teacher to learn and be able to teach to their students. If they understand this, they can apply it effectively to their research and presentation use in the classroom. One thing that immediately stood out to me was that they are laid out in very similar ways. They are split up into similar content and concept areas. The biggest difference that I see between these two, was the wording and the meaning of the standards. For example, the teaching standards don't call the idea of working with others and discussing problems communicating and collaboration, they still focus on that same concept. It didn't surprise me that the teaching standards were more complex and used larger words to help define the standard meaning. Looking at the student standards, I noticed that the wording is simpler and in a more understanding language. One major thing about these standards is that they hold the teacher accountable for what they need to be teaching and doing with their students in the classroom. I feel that these standards are very much appropriate for teachers and they are important that they follow the standards. They allow the teachers to become literate with the use of technology. Being able to use technology allows the teachers to be a more effective and engaging teacher. These standards are very basic and easy to follow, and things that teachers should already be doing in their classroom in the first place, just with the use of technology.

I feel that there are many ways to ensure the understanding of these sets of standards. One thing that could help pre-service teachers understand these standards would be to create a communication piece, such as a blog or online chat area, where pre-service teachers can communicate with each other and other teacher already in the teaching field. I think that this would allow for all teachers to communicate with each other about the standards and how to apply them to your classroom setting. You can also give examples of what these standards mean and having them come up with activities that would help achieve that standard. The pre-service teacher can look at the standards and communicate with others about what they feel these standards mean and what ways they can incorporate these activities to meet the standards.

This week I was asked, after looking at and discussing the teaching and student standards, to come up with three lesson ideas. For this activity, I have selected grades 3-5. Below each lesson idea, I have provided the standards that fit that lesson.

1)  Students will work on their group projects about famous Iowans. To successfully complete this project, students will need to communicate and share information before being prepared enough to share with their peers in class. (standard 2)

2)  Students will read different version of the Cinderella story from different cultures. They will compare and find information through collaboration with students from around the world. They will determine whether or not the stories have similar characters, settings, and plots, which will then help them to compare the different stories. (standard 3, standard 6)

3)  Students will create a public service announcement using Movie Maker to explain why we shouldn't bully others. They will be required to interview fellow students and teachers in the school, or community members. They need to define bullying and provide examples of what problems bullying can cause in and outside of school. (standard 1, standard 2, standard 6)