ISTE Standard 5

ISTE Standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

To become more effective educators, it is important for teachers to take responsibility of their own professional development and growth. They must also focus on their performance and involvement as a member in their learning community. Teachers should never get comfortable or content with the educational methods, resources, and digital tools they continue to use in their classrooms. They should always find new ways to implement and integrate current and new technologies that will keep the students engaged and enhance their learning.

a.      Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

It is important to work either formally or informally with other teachers or your grade level team to discuss various ways to improve student learning. As a teacher you want to be an active member in a learning community when wanting to implement new and creative lessons that will benefit the students and keep them engaged. Every time you are able to share and communicate within a group you are adding to the knowledge and resources available to everyone in your school’s learning environment and community.

b.      Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.

Whenever a teacher models how to use a technology tool effectively in the classroom, they are more than likely expanding the vision of a fellow colleague. Most teachers seek advice on how to implement new activities or tools in their classroom. They like to see and hear about what is working in another teacher’s classroom. Any teacher can allow themselves to be a resource to others that are more open to experiment a similar strategy in their own classroom.

c.       Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.

As a professional you can share blogs, articles, books, or even journals that you find interesting that deals with new technology in the classroom. You can discuss these findings with a fellow colleague asking them their opinions on the topic. This is opening up a dialogue for teachers to evaluate and reflect how they can expand on improving their students learning.

d.      Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and the school community.

This indicator is easy to master! Anytime a teacher chooses to use technology in their classroom and share their new technique with other teachers, they are contributing to the effectiveness of the school community. They are also helping raise the level of professionalism in the school’s environment.
Technology is constantly changing and teachers need to keep up with these changes. To keep up with these changes they must first take an active interest in wanting to stay updated within their profession and be a positive contributor to their school. I always try my best to remain engaged in professional growth and be an active member of my school’s learning community.