NETS: Using Technology to Learn & Teach

The International Society for Technology in Education has led a federally funded initiative to develop standards for technology for both the teachers and students. This initiative is helping to define what you need to know about educational technology. ISTE's project is known as the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers Project, also known as NETS for short.

- Teaching and Learning with Technology, Lever-Duffy, Judy. Chapter 1.

"ISTE standards for students, teachers, and administrators help to measure proficiency and set aspirational goals for the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to succeed in today’s Digital Age. NETS for teachers help: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility, and Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership."

- NETS website, goal for teachers for 2008

The NETS category provides the standards for both students and teachers, administrators, technology facilitators, and leaders. What is great about the site are the publications and research projects it has to offer.

The NETS for students are what students should know and be able to do to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital world. They focus on, innovation and creativity, communication and collaboration, research, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making, in addition to technology operations and concepts. The NETS defined fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes for applying technology in educational settings.

Administrators play a essential role in determining how well technology is used in schools and NETS helps them do so.

It's great how the NETS site is a guide for educators and administrators who are incorporating modern educational technology into the curriculum with the basic fundamentals.