Thursday, March 25, 2010
NETS for students and teachers
The NETS for students and teachers gives a general framework for the use of technology within schools. I think that the standards cover the broad areas of technology use but lack some necessary details when implementing technology in the classroom. The standards do allow for teachers and students to take a wide range of approaches with technology due to how general they are presented. The standards are missing specific details in teaching the safety and security of using digital resources. The most the standards touch on this area is through the student’s “Digital Citizenship” section by stating “advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.” Furthermore, the teacher’s standard under “Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility,” by stating “promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.” Students need direct instruction on safe practices when using digital resources, particularly the internet. The standards should include more specific subareas for both teachers and students to follow in the classroom.
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I agree that the standards lack details. Whether this is good or bad depends. If you want a quick reference re: how to work on, say, standard #2 (communication and collaboration), then you will be out of luck. But there are examples and guidelines on the ISTE site (there's a NETS-S implentation wiki). I think the standards are left general to give districts and schools and teachers maximum flexibility in addressing them.
ReplyDeletejd
The standards are not specific which can make them difficult to follow or to put the effort in to achieve the standards. At the same time it may be easy to have projects or lessons fit under a standard because they are so general.
ReplyDeleteI also think, as teachers, if the standards were specific we would say that they didn't allow us any freedom to create our own lessons. We weren't allowed to be creative and we might even say that they are so specific or so narrow that it is difficult to achieve the standards, along with all of the other curriculum standards.