NETS for Students

National Education Technology Standards Activity

Think of a school-age child or young adult you know. What kind of school experience has this student had so far? Is s/he successful academically? What kinds of challenges does s/he face?

Now read the NETS for Students handout. How would technology-supported instruction based on these standards impact this student? What positive results would you predict? What challenges might arise? How do these standards align with the 21st century framework? How can use of the NETS and Framework be sustained over time?

Use the space below to jot down your ideas and then share them with your team. After your discussion, revisit your answers and make them as thorough and complete as possible in the given time.

1. How can instruction that is technology-supported and based on these standards and the framework impact students? Technology-supported instruction that is based on NETS-S and the 21st Century Framework for Learning will provide a solid foundation for student lifelong learning skills development.  With a solid foundation, students can easily transition from the classroom setting into the professional setting using the 21st Century skills they acquired throughout their academic career. 

2. What positive results would you predict? Students will be actively engaged in a media-rich environment.  Student buy-in coupled with active engagement should result in higher graducation rates because students are no longer bored with learning, but are truly excited about learning in a fun environment. 

3. What challenges might arise? Staff embracing a new learning style while maintaining the integrity of learning.  Staff must learn that their role is changing from lecturer to facilitator of a learning environment where everyone is learning from each other (collaboratively).  As with the pendulum swing of a clock, we either change with the swing or are left behind as time and learning march along without us. 

4. How do these standards align with the 21st century framework? As with any framework, a solid foundation is critical.  The NETS-S forms a solid foundation.  The NETS-S, if integrated into curriculum instead of being a stand-alone strand, will enable students to acquire 21st century skills by building year by year.

5. How can innovations based on use of the NETS and the 21st century framework be sustained over time? Innovation and creativity work hand-in-hand.  Today's new innovations become tomorrow's standards which will only fuel the need for continuing creativity resulting in even newer innovations....and so the cycle is self-renewing and continuous.