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ISTE Unveils the Next Generation of Technology Standards for Teachers

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) launched the next generation of standards for teachers' use of technology at the 29th annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) on Monday, June 30.

The National Educational Teaching Standards for Teachers (NETS·T) were originally released in 2000, following the acclaimed NETS for Students (NETS·S) in 1998, which set the bar for integration of technology in education. The NETS·T 2000 defined the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes for applying technology in educational settings.

More than 2,500 educators from 50 states and 25 countries gave feedback on the refresh of NETS·T.

"Effective teachers of digital-age learners are being challenged to move away from models of teaching and learning as isolated endeavors," ISTE CEO Don Knezek said. "As they model work and learning, teachers must become comfortable as co-learners with their students and with colleagues around the world."

Rapid advances in technology have put new demands on educators and students. The refreshed ISTE NETS provides a framework for educators to use as they transition schools from Industrial Age to Digital Age places of learning.

The refreshed NETS·T guide teachers toward the following goals:

• 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.

• 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 NETS·S.

• Model Digital-Age work and learning
  Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

• 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.

• 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.

ISTE extends its thanks to the sponsors of the NETS·T refresh process, including Adobe, Apple, Intel Education, Pearson Education, Atomic Learning, Promethean and SMART Technologies.

A refresh of ISTE's NETS for Students (NETS·S) was released at last year's NECC, and NETS for Administrators (NETS·A) will be refreshed in the coming year and released at NECC 2009.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK—12 and teacher education.