Standard 1 Evidence
NETS Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
ISTE Definition: Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
- promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
- engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
- promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
- model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.
How I apply this standard in my teaching
As an adult ESL teacher and teacher trainer for over a decade, I believe that creating a highly engaged and interactive learning environment is one of the most effective ways to motivate students in learning a new language. I believe this applies to learning in general. Every student is individually different as they come with different background, learning needs and styles, strengths, and interests. My lessons are planned based on UDL (Universal Design for Learning) guidelines and aim at providing genuine learning opportunities for each student. Every lesson I deliver is easily understood for all students. The topics and materials I use for my classroom are related to current real-world issues so to engage students in an active realistic discussion with the world outside the classroom. I design learning activities that require students to work together as a team to help them build collaboration skills and promote their creative and critical thinking even further.
In order to help my students in building a sense of responsibility for their role as a global citizen, I often give thought provoking questions and social/cultural issues for my students to discuss. I ask my students to work together and come up with suggestions and solutions to difficulties in learning or problems at the social justice level so they construct knowledge based on their collaboration and reflection and further develop a stronger sense of responsibility not only in their learning but also in the engagement with the world. Almost every project based activity and lesson require the use of computers, internet, and other technology tools in my class. I teach my students to "use" technology responsibly to gain access to the information and knowledge they need but not to rely on technology to teach them how to be an independent thinker.
Examples of my work for this standard
1. Constructivist Learning Technology Reading Response ( html )
2. A Global Classroom for ESL Students- Sample lesson Plan ( pdf )
3. Refugee Education lesson plan ( pdf )
4. Multicultural Education concept map ( pdf )
My favorite web resources for this standard
1. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
2. Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
3. BBC Schools
5. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
5. Edutopia
6. US Office of Educational Technology
7. TESOL International Association
8. Asian American Asian Research Institute (AAARI-CUNY)