Chapter 12 Review

1.) What is educational technology literacy? Why is it important for educators?
Educational technology literacy is the ability for educators to apply the technologies they aquire to enrich their teaching and to enhance their students' learning. Because technology is an essential skill that is continuously changing and being updated. Educators must understand and accept required educational technology literacy expectations and plan to meet these increasing professional requirements.

2.) What impact does NCLB have on educational technology standards?
The No Child Left Behind Act mandates student technology literacy requirements and has created a series of actions steps for states, districts, and schools to use to evaluate their use of technology in improving student achievement. In response to NCLB, states have developed technology standards for students, as well as associated technology standards for teachers and have included these within their certification and licensing requirements.

3.) What is certification? What role does technology literacy play in certification and licensure?
All states license or certify teachers to be employed as educators with the requirements set by each state’s Department of Education. Teachers have to fulfill certain requirements including specific technology requirements usually through an undergraduate course in education technology. Teachers who graduated before specific technology requirements can take courses in educational technology for certificate renewal. National certification has no directly stated technology requirements other than diversity of teaching methodology.

4.) What is the difference between state and national certification? How is technology literacy incorporated in each?
The difference between state and national certification is that state licensing or certification is required by each state with specific technology requirements usually through an undergraduate course in education technology. While nationalcertification is a voluntary system to improve teaching and learning by encouraging teachers to become nationally certified by demonstrating achievement of rigorous high standards, although there are no directly stated technology requirements other than diversity of teaching methodology.

5.) How and for what purpose did ISTE establish NETS? What standards are currently in place?
In 1998 ISTE prepared and released “Technology Foundation Standards for Students” from its NETS project initiated to create a series of national standards that could be used to facilitate the use of educational technology by students, teachers, and administrators to promote school improvement. Student achievement in specific technological areas target categories teachers can use as guidelines for planning technology-based activities for student proficiency in learning, communication, and life skills.

6.) How have states used NETS for furthering the advancement of educational technology?
Many states adopting NETS standards also utilize NETS for strategic planning for technology. Goals include student access to appropriate technologies, teachers skilled in the uses of technology, and ongoing professional development for teachers. Districts use NETS to make decisions about technology acquisition and implementation, as well as designating certification requirements to identify student technology competencies within the curriculum and inclusion of mandates within a strategic plan. ISTE NETS is often at the core of state solutions to achieving technology literacy.

7.) What is NCATE? How have NETS standards changed college programs through NCATE adoption?
NCATE is the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. NETS standards provide NCATE guidelines requiring that colleges of education include courses or experiences in the use of technology for instruction, assessment, and professional productivity.

8.) What options do preservice teachers have to achieve technology standards? How do they differ from options offered to inservice teachers?
Technology standards are achieved by preservice teachers through their education course requirements. Educational technology standards and requirements for inservice teachers are often included directly or indirectly into annual professional evaluations. Inservice teachers can either take college credit courses in educational technology or other related technology skills, or they can take part in district workshops to achieve competency.

9.) How do corporations provide training resources for teachers? Give examples.
Many technology companies charge for their technology training, although there are some free video-based online professional development training resources in topics including educational technology training. Apple offers professional development options such as “Technology Infused Learning” that provides educators who know the basics of technology in the classroom the opportunity to learn how to use digital tools to engage students, enhance learning, and meet state content standards.

10.) What unique technology training is required for noninstructional educators? Why are they different?
Noninstructional educators need unique specific technology to serve specialized student needs and contribute to the school community. Media specialists have access to journals about technology literacy in the context of media centers. Administrators have access to publications and workshops and professional development conferences focusing on administration and leadership technology. Guidance counselors and instructional support fields need specific technologies to make the most of available resources for the benefit of students. Training opportunities also include college credit courses, district technology workshops, professional organizations and conferences.