ISTE Essential Conditions

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) produces a list of essential conditions to "effectively leverage technology for learning". ISTE asserts that these guidelines can "offer educators and school leaders a research-backed framework to guide implementation of the ISTE Standards, tech planning and systemwide change". This presented framework is clearly laid on on the ISTE website, with a diagnostic tool for organization leaders to investigate their own organization's strengths and areas of weakness.

In total, the ISTE list prioritizes fourteen elements, addressing issues of accessibility, equity, resource allocation and implementation strategies. The two I will choose to highlight here will be Equitable Access and Ongoing Professional Learning.

A crucial issue for many communities has been ensuring equal access to high-tech tools and materials for all teachers, schools and students. Though I have discussed this topic in other blog posts, I want to highlight the simplicity of ISTE's framework. ISTE demonstrates the strong need to address the digital divide, but pushes for a higher standard for educators. Addressing unequal technology usage is not merely ensuring strong internet connection for all schools, because"equitable access means more than simply providing devices and connectivity". Schools and educators can meet these guidelines by utilizing technology to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs, ESL learners, and higher-need individuals. Administrators can support educators to "create quality learning experiences for students with special needs" by building a strong community within their school staff.

To ensure change in an organization is consistent and sustainable, continued professional learning is necessary. ISTE highlights the need for professional learning plans that "meet each individual’s needs with relevant training", "are implemented regularly", and "are continually updated to reflect current trends and technologies". ISTE presents this continued learning as crucial, but differentiable for  educators in various roles. Administrators can support educators through providing relevant and implementable PD opportunities, and (like I stated above) build a strong community of adult learners.


Works Cited

Essential Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2019, from https://www.iste.org/standards/essential-conditions