Standard II: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences

ISTE's Standard II: Planning and Designing Learning Environments is a two-fold process. The first step in integrating technology tools to aid student learning requires that lessons follow research-based best practice approaches to teaching, with or without technology. Technology Facilitators and Technology Leaders (TF/TL) assume a dual role - modeling well constructed lessons that mirror a constructivist approach to support higher-order thinking skills and providing teachers with the technology tools to integrate into the well designed lessons.

The first step that the Technology Faciliator begins the guiding process is to assist teachers in their self-reflection as to their proficiency with integrating technology using such tools as the LoTi framework. As students gain a clearer picture of their current proficiencies, the TF can guide teachers through the process of setting goals and moving along the contiuum to more authentic integration of technology tools and processes. The TF becomes a coach and a mentor, providing strong models of lessons in the classroom. This process can include informal professional learning communities, can be one-to-one conversations and can be project-based partnerships.

Standard II is not a separate step or entity from Standard I. The role of TF/TL continues to be that of researcher, adviser, and expert in the field on which teachers are able to rely. The essence of Standard II is to find authentic ways to embed technology into the current curriculum, requiring that the TF/TL are well versed in both.

In personal practice, this standard may be the most challenging. It requires a subtle, long-term social change in teaching practice. This standard will require that I continue professional development both in lesson design, utilizing resources from the backward design approach as well as technology skills and research. Our district's Strategic Plan has begun to tackle this task through the design of professional learning communities established to look at State standards and create KUDs- what students should Know, Understand, and Do-to ensure that we're designing lessons with the end result in mind.

Williamson, J, & Redish, T. (2009). Iste's technology facilitation and leadership standards. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.