The world of education is rapidly changing. With the rise of technology, classrooms are no longer confined to textbooks and chalkboards. Today, technology has become an essential part of the learning process, allowing students to interact with digital content and collaborate with peers in new ways. To support this trend towards innovative learning, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has emerged as a leading voice in the industry. In this post, we’ll explore what the ISTE is and how it supports professional development for educators and education leaders.
Founded in 1979, the ISTE is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the role of technology in education. With a membership representing over 127 countries, the ISTE aims to accelerate innovation in education through smart application of technology. As a neutral and independent body, it provides resources, standards, and certifications that are widely recognized within the industry.
The ISTE Standards for learning, teaching, and leading with technology serves as an essential reference tool for schools at every level. Its five standards – for students, teachers, administrators, coaches, and computer science educators – provide clear benchmarks for effective digital learning. The standards are fleshed out with specific performance indicators that help educators and administrators assess their progress towards integrating technology in the classroom.
In addition to the standards, the ISTE offers a comprehensive suite of professional development resources to help educators and school leaders stay up-to-date with changing technology trends. The ISTE Certification for Educators is one such resource, designed to help educators gain essential skills in creating digital learning environments. This certification program gives educators a deep understanding of how technology can support student learning, as well as the latest strategies for aligning technology with curriculum and instruction.
The key focus of the ISTE is on empowering educators to use technology in ways that facilitate student learning. This involves promoting digital citizenship, which includes areas such as online privacy, responsible technology use, digital communication, and information literacy. To help with this, the ISTE provides resources on cybersecurity and digital citizenship, including curriculum resources and webinars.
The ISTE is also heavily invested in policy advocacy, working with policymakers and community stakeholders to promote policies that support effective technology integration in schools. Through its advocacy work, the ISTE contributes to shaping the national conversation around technology in education and ensures that the needs of educators and students are understood and considered in policy making.
The ISTE stands tall in the world of education, providing a wealth of resources and expertise to support the introduction and integration of technology in the learning process. Its standards and certification programs are widely recognized and relied upon by educators at all levels. The organization’s focus on digital citizenship and advocacy helps to ensure that technology continues to be a force for positive change in education, enabling students across the globe with the skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce. By supporting the ISTE’s work, school administrators, principals, and education leaders can ensure their schools remain at the forefront of educational innovation.
