Reflecting on INTASC and ISTE Standards

    INTASC Standards are used for teacher candidates. They describe the new vision of teaching needed for today's learners, how teaching practice that is aligned to the new vision developed over time, and what strategies teachers can employ to improve their practice both individually and together. InTASC standards help students connect their knowledge to their future careers as teachers. The standards help future teachers realize the importance of making connections between the lesson plans and the students. InTASC standards give teacher candidates the realistic preparation needed for when they get their own classroom.
    The resources and instruction are practical, plus they help teachers see connections between studies and the future profession of teaching. With the InTASC standards, it enhances teacher performances because teachers can see the importance of understanding, supporting, and encouraging their students with the learning process. Technology can benefit these standards in multiple ways. By using innovative application and learning tools, students will be encouraged to learn more information and practice in a new way. Standards guide the design of instruction by helping teachers decide what is necessary to teach and the best way students will learn and understand the content.

    To encourage students and teachers to make positive choices, ISTE standards really come in handy. These standards talk about ways to promote learning and behavior while using technology. ISTE standards recognize how to use technology to encourage innovative thinking, but also recognize the need for promoting positive digital citizenship. These standards are very important and useful for teachers and students because students are given a voice. Teachers are given tools to help their classroom become student-driven through collaboration. 

    Both of these standards are so helpful for students and teachers. I believe that all teachers should use these resources to improve their classroom and to assure that students are understanding and comprehending the content before moving onto the next grade.

Students picture credits: gettingsmart

Board picture credits: me

Your Digital Footprint

    With the use of technology increasing in classrooms, it's also important to teach digital citizenship. Kids of all ages are jumping onto the internet, posting their opinions and commenting on others. This can be a great way to kickstart discussion and debate, but if not done properly, students will become bad digital citizens. By communicating with a screen, we often forget that there is an actually human being reading and taking in every word. It is going to take effort from parents and teachers to help kids become aware of their own digital footprint they are leaving.
      
    The internet is a great thing if used properly and with respect. ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards for teachers and students are a great guideline for basic instruction on how to be a good digital citizen. This website explains tips for students and teachers for how to create a safe digital footprint.  Creating a balance in the way technology is used in the classroom will take some time; however, if taught correctly, they internet will do great things for everyone. 

Here are 11 tips for what to tell your students about their digital footprint:
1. Use privacy settings
2. Keep a list of accounts
3. Don't overshare
4. Use a password keeper
5. Google yourself
6. Monitor linking accounts
7. Use a secondary email
8. But, you don't need 12 email addresses
9. Sending is like publishing forever
10. Understand that searches are social  
11. Use digital tools to manage your footprint

Photo credits: teachthought