ISTE Launches New Futures Project

(23 Feb 2004)

Washington, D.C.—The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) announced today an exciting new focus on the future of education and technology's role in that future. ISTE's strategy leverages current and evolving partnerships as noted below. But the centerpiece is a new formal and academic Delphi Study that will forecast likelihoods for the future of education.

"The Educational Technology Community has made great strides with technology for improved education, and we are busy studying and documenting what we've accomplished," says Dr. Don Knezek, ISTE CEO. "But we need to enlarge our focus beyond the past and present so we're positioned to optimize the benefits of technology in education's emerging future."

According to ISTE Deputy CEO, Dr. Leslie Conery, ISTE has a long history of bringing together the nation's thought leaders and visionaries to move the field forward. "ISTE's pivotal work with NETS is certainly an example," notes Dr. Conery, "as is the Leadership Symposium held each year at NECC, where ISTE brings together national and international leaders to focus on issues with potential large-scale impact."

Leadership responsibilities for ISTE's Futures Project will be shouldered jointly by two outstanding staff, Dr. Lynn Nolan, Director of Professional Development Services, and Mila Thomas, Director of Strategic Initiatives. Dr. Nolan brings an academic background including a dissertation study from 1994 using the Delphi technique and studying the future of technology in education, and Ms. Thomas brings technology leadership experience that will serve both the study and application of findings for development of future ISTE initiatives.

As Dr. Nolan explains, "The purpose of our Delphi Study is to examine the possible, probable, and preferable future of education in three areas: technology's role; the curriculum and design of learning environments; and partnerships between business and education. ISTE thereby builds support and a shared vision not just for education technology but for the broader community of educational stakeholders as well."

The first surveys to identify top education futurists for the Delphi Study begin in Spring, 2004. Look for additional details about this exciting project on ISTE's Web site, www.iste.org, and in upcoming press announcements.

Related initiatives that bring additional perspectives and opportunities to ISTE's Futures Project include:

• ISTE's ongoing activities as a Strategic Partner in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
• ISTE's key role in the U.S. Department of Education's Outreach team for the National Educational Technology Plan
• ISTE's recent release of Bard William's future-focused book, "We're Getting Wired, We're Going Mobile, What's Next?"
• ISTE's collaboration with Cable in the Classroom on a spring "futures" issue of Threshold Magazine

ISTE will provide an update on these activities at NECC 2004, as well as a specific progress report on the Delphi Study. The completed Delphi Study and accompanying report are slated for release in early 2005.

About the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE):
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a membership organization, provides leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education. ISTE members include teachers, technology coordinators, library media specialists, teacher educators and administrators as well as representatives from key corporate, governmental, and policy organizations. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE meets its mission through knowledge generation, professional development and advocacy.

For additional information on ISTE's publications, projects, and activities, visit http://www.iste.org/. For information about purchase orders, special member and bulk discounts, call 1.800.336.5191.