By Les Foltos
These days, ed tech coaches are in high demand, thanks in part o the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS, corestandards.org),
which require educators to integrate
technology into the classroom. Much
like the ISTE Standards (formerly
the NETS), the CCSS also clearly
link technology with effective teaching, calling for mastery of the basics;
more rigorous learning and creativity;
and more emphasis on skills such as
critical thinking, communication, and
collaboration. These standards also
require teachers to use more-engaging
instructional strategies and technology as tools to help students develop
critical skills and demonstrate their
learning.
These new requirements may
ask ed tech coaches to re-evaluate
their approach. But, as the ISTE
Standards have long espoused, the
place to start is still with content
and pedagogy.
The Learning Comes First
Like the CCSS, the ISTE Standards
for Students and Teachers emphasize
the importance of tying technology
use to effective pedagogy. The first
thing ed tech coaches can learn from
this is that their primary task is to
Put Me In, Coach!
I’m Ready to Teach with Technology ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MAXIMILLION_STUDIO
