International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE’s) standard was a key tool during the pandemic to mitigate the challenges online learning was faced with by American learning institutions. It guides schools and teachers to help students build valuable learning methods, as well as aid the Institution’s experience in online learning.

The ISTE Standards for Students

The ISTE Standards for Students (2016) are seven standards developed to help students succeed in today’s high-tech society.

1. Empowered Learner

This standard is beneficial because it was designed to encourage students to take an active role and to demonstrate their competency to use and choose technologies to achieve their learning goals. Students acquire feedback to enhance their skills, customise their learning environments, and build networks.

2. Digital Citizen

The second standard focuses on increasing student awareness of the responsibilities and rights of participating in a digital world. Students use technology in safe and legal ways. They also demonstrate a respect for the rights of sharing intellectual property.

3. Knowledge Constructor

The standards for students are also designed to build knowledge. Students enhance their understanding of the world by applying effective research methods to find information for their creative and intellectual pursuits. This process encourages the development of theories and ideas.

4. Innovative Designer

The fourth standard promotes creativity. Students design new solutions for real-world problems using different types of technologies. They use their critical thinking skills as they work on open-ended problems. Students also engage in activities that deal with design constraints and calculated risks.

5. Computational Thinker

This standard emphasizes exploring and finding solutions to problems by using a variety of technologies. Students collect data and analyse them to make decisions and problem solve. They enhance their understanding of complex systems and automation. Automated solutions are created and tested through a series of steps.

6. Creative Communicator

The sixth standard allows students to create original works. One of the ways they can achieve this goal is by remixing digital resources into new ones. Students produce new content by customising it for their intended audiences.

7. Global Collaborator

This standard focuses on broadening students’ perspectives. Learners use digital tools to connect with students from different cultures and backgrounds. They use collaborative technologies to explore global and local issues and think about possible solutions from multiple viewpoints.

The ISTE Standards for Educators

The ISTE Standards for Educators (2017) designed to help in transforming pupils into empowered learners, provides seven standards for teachers facilitating high tech society of learners:

1. Learner

This standard emphasizes the continued growth in technology skills educators need to make. They achieve this goal by working with other professionals and exploring promising practices that enhance student learning. They participate in professional networks and stay updated on research that improves student learning.

2. Leader

Educators look for leadership opportunities that shape and advance teaching and learning. They urge for equal access to technology to meet the needs of all students. They also serve as models for their colleagues, exploring and identifying new technological tools for learning.

3. Citizen

This standard involves creating opportunities for learners that will lead them to make socially responsible contributions. Educators mentor students on using technology safely and ethically. They teach them the importance of protecting data privacy and managing personal data.

4. Collaborator

Educators also need to spend time collaborating with students and colleagues. With colleagues, they work to create learning experiences using digital tools. And with students, they use new digital tools to diagnose and troubleshoot technology problems.

5. Designer

This standard encourages educators to design activities that are learner-driven and that reflect learner variability. Educators use technology to personalise learning experiences that promote independent learning and accommodate students’ needs.

6. Facilitator

Educators create an environment in which students take ownership of their learning. They establish learning opportunities encouraging students to problem solve and innovate. They model creative expression and manage learning strategies in digital platforms and virtual environments.

7. Analyst

This standard focuses on using data to support learners. Educators use technology by designing formative and summative assessments to provide feedback for pupils. This process guides progress as educators communicate assessment data with students and parents to promote student self-direction.