Meeting the Standards

The 2007 National Education Technology Standards for Students are:

· Creativity and Innovation
· Communication and Collaboration
· Research and Information Fluency
· Critical thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
· Digital Citizenship
· Technology Operations and Concepts
Looking at these National Standards (which I have to admit that I did not know existed prior to this class), it amazes me how much these standards are NOT evident in my school! It is such a shame because after learning about the evolution Web 2.0, as well as the benefits that technology can have on education, why wouldn’t these standards be a part of any school?! In my school, the extent of a lot of our technology is to have students produce a PowerPoint presentation rather than write it down on paper. That is all good and well, however technology in the schools needs to be taken a step farther and driven by students’ interest in technology.
These standards hold students accountable for their work in the classroom, as well as guiding them to be part of a collaborative team that has a vast knowledge of digital and technological media and can use them responsibly. The benefits of using and implementing these standards in the classroom can yield students that are not only creative, but have the means to think critically and problem solve.
I am very, very excited to implement these standards into my classroom. I feel that I am ready, as this class has prepared me with a step in the right direction. I also think that it may take time for these standards to be effectively taught and used in the classroom, just like with anything new. But I can say that I will put my best foot forward, and put to use my newfound knowledge of technology, to have these standards lead the way in technology integration and use in my classroom.