I think it’s important not only for the Technology Integrator but the classroom teacher to know what the NETS expectations are. As teachers we are bombarded with what we need to get done, teach, collect data on... NETS standards need to be integrated into the curriculum expectations. I like how our Media Specialist (who acts as the tech integrator) at our school meets with each grade level before school begins to go over the grade level expectations. She shares with us what she will explicitly teach and what we need to integrate into our instruction. She makes it clear that she will support us with this either through suggestions and ideas or demonstrating/co-teaching so that we can see how it works.
Overall, it’s a positive way to share the expectations without making it feel like the teacher (once again) has more piled on their plates.
A scenario...
Grade level teachers have been asked to add more options and performance based assessments to their repertoire of assessments. This is an example of NETS-A Visionary Leadership.
At our school, the administration in conjunction with our IB Steering Committee have set this goal for each grade level. Specifically, each grade level has been asked to augment the assessments used in each of the six headings that our units fall under. I work at an IB school, so this is directly tied in with our requirements to be an IB school.
As a goal, I see this as an example of NETS-A Visionary Leadership. I see the administrator setting up this expectation but then using other NETS standards to ensure that her staff meets the expectations. This would fall under Digital-Age Learning and Excellence in Professional Practice.
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the integrator/specialist sitting down with the team at the beginning of the year - I don't even know how many teachers on my staff even know about them. I think it would be great if our administration gave us time on a monthly basis just to become familiar with the standards. Like you said, the ISTEs feels as though they are just another item piled on a teacher's plate without taking anything away. The more time we get to visit the standards the more open teachers will be to accepting them.
Nice job,
Megan
I think it is so great you have a technology integration specialist. A lot of schools have cut that position along with computer teachers, so there is a lack of technology leadership. I agree with Megan when she says I don't think a lot of teachers even know about the standards, as they are not a mandate that is checked up upon much or at all.
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