College of the Atlantic Educational Studies
Technology as a Medium for Learning and Teaching

Technology provides unique possibilities for structuring and communicating knowledge and facilitating learning and teaching. The use of educational technology comes also with potential pitfalls. In addition to acquiring the level of technological competence adequate to facilitate the Technology Standards for K-12 students, teacher candidates at College of the Atlantic should be able to judge the appropriateness and usefulness of technology in teaching and learning. Teacher candidates are required to document - in their Final Portfolio - knowledge and use of educational technology based on the standards outlined below.

Some questions that guide decisions about technology in teaching might include:

• When does technology facilitate learning? 
• When does technology distract from learning?
• How can technology be used to meet the needs of diverse learners?
• How can teachers best use technology in communication with students, parents, and colleagues, planning, instruction, assessment, and record-keeping?
  

All COA teacher candidates should be prepared to meet the following standards*  and performance indicators in order to use technology most effectively in their work as teachers:

I. Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emergent technologies.

II. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to facilitate student learning in the following K-12 ISTE standards for students:

1. Basic Operations and Concepts. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operations of technology systems. Students are proficient in the use of technology

2. Social, Ethical, and Human Issues. Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology. Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software. Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

3. Technology Productivity Tools. Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.

4. Technology Communications Tools. Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences. Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

5. Technology Research Tools. Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. Students use technology tools to process data and report results.

6. Technology Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools. Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions. Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.

III. Plan and Design Effective Learning Environments and Experiences Supported by Technology  (Correlates with Maine Teaching Standards 3,4,5):

A. Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
B. Apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
C. Identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
D. Plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.
E. Plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment. 

IV. Implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.  (Correlates with Maine Teaching Standards 3,4,5):

A. Facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
B. Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
C. Apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.
D. Manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

V. Apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.  (Correlates with Maine Teaching Standard 8)

A. Apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
B. Use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
C. Apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students' appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.

* These standards are excerpted from the National Educational Technology Standards for K-12 Students and Teachers (ISTE)