ISTE Releases Draft of New NETS for Students

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has just completed a draft of its National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students--a groundbreaking paradigm for what young people should know about technology and what they should be able to do with it before graduating. Now, ISTE is asking educators for feedback on the new draft.

ISTE first issued its NETS for students in 1998, and this framework has since found its way into the standards of at least 45 U.S. states. Now, nearly 10 years later--and having also issued NETS for teachers and administrators--ISTE is in the process of revising its NETS to keep pace with the changing demands of advancing technology and a new global economy.

Draft of Refreshed ISTE NETS for Students (1/4/07)
Working Document – Copyright ISTE® 2006 - 2007
“What students should know and be able to do to learn effectively and
live productively in an increasingly digital world …”

Please provide feedback to ISTE by completing the survey at http://www.iste.org/nets-survey

I. Creativity and Innovation (new)

Students think creatively, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products using technology. Students:

A. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas and products.
B. use technology for creative self-expression.
C. use systems thinking to explore complex issues.
D. identify trends and forecast possibilities.

II. Communication and Collaboration (4)

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

A. collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and others employing a variety of digital media and formats.
B. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences utilizing a variety of media and formats.
C. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.
D. contribute to project teams to produce original works.

III. Research and Information Retrieval (5)

Students access, retrieve, manage, and evaluate information using digital tools. Students:

A. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and use information from a variety of sources and media.
B. evaluate and select information sources and technological tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
C. process data and report results.

IV. Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making (6, 3)

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate technology tools. Students:

A. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation and plan strategies to guide inquiry.
B. plan and manage activities to develop solutions and complete projects.
C. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and make informed decisions.
D. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.

V. Digital Citizenship (2)

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:

A. advocate and practice safe, responsible use of information and technology.
B. exhibit positive attitudes toward technology uses that support collaboration, learning, and productivity.
C. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
D. exercise proactive leadership for digital citizenship.

VI. Technology Operations and Concepts (1, 3)

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Students:

A. understand and use technology systems.
B. identify and use applications effectively and productively.
C. troubleshoot systems and applications.
D. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.

Please provide feedback by completing the survey at http://www.iste.org/nets-survey

Open Source Technologies fair - May 9th

Promoting Open Source Technology (PromOTEing) Solutions fair will bring experts and current practitioners together will enable the sharing of information about:
• What is Open Technology and why is now a good time for educators to seriously consider this alternative?
• What experiences have other schools and school districts had?
• What does Open Technology look like and how does it compare to proprietary products?
• What is coming next?

For more information on how to register for the fair, please contact Lynn Barton by phone at 860.567.0863 x164 or by email .

For more information on the PromOTE project, please contact Ed Edelson by phone at 860.567.0863 x164 or by email.

PromOTEing Solutions Fair @ Education Connection
directions to EdConnection's Litchfiled office
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - from 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

CEN presentation on filtering

On March 20, 2007 CEN held its second seminar on the content filtering tool used by over 150 school districts across the State. For more information on this event, including a link to download the presentation, please visit the CEN-NET website at:
http://www.ct.gov/cen-net/cwp/view.asp?a=902&Q=246952

Notes from Infrastructure RFP Bidders Conference

Scoring (page 31-34) - all proposals need to respond to items in to Section A…each proposal will receive points from only ONE part of Section B depending on the project type. If a new building is to be connected to the existing network, Section B awards 20 points. If there are multiple projects as part of the proposal, only the top scoring project as identified in Section B will receive points.

Section C – proposal gives status of current infrastructure (only for grantees that have received infrastructure funds over the last two years). In a brief one page description explain what your original proposal stated, what changes were made if any and what additional infrastructure needs your district has.

Is it ok to rent equipment? Bond Commission would like a 20 year life to all purchases (when possible)…ideally purchase instead of renting

If you lease fiber, monthly maintenance cost can not be funded.

E-rate questions… http://www.e-ratecentral.com/ or (516) 832-2880

Adding wireless infrastructure is an option. CEN is not advocating that be the primary source. Wireless can be in your proposal…explain why you are embracing wireless. (Refer to page 29)

Servers-are they eligible? Yes…but considering will have a very low priority on scoring

Can you apply for multiple school buildings? Yes…individual proposal can have multiple projects in one or more buildings

Concern voiced about timeframe for $ dispersal. Money should be released in the fall (hopefully). The award letters will request that $ is obligated by June 30, 2008. We should be able to grant additional year extensions to $ drawdown.

Comment: (page 32 section B.3) Providing connectivity to a new off campus school building which is scheduled to be occupied on December 30, 2007. This date is now changed to September 2008.

Comment: We have two schools PK through 1st grade- is preference being given to schools that take CMT. No…all schools are to be considered equally.