The Alabama State Board of Education adopted the Alabama Course of Study: Technology Education that requires all Alabama school teachers to integrate the use of technology into every grade and every subject on February 14, 2002 (Alabama Department of Education, 2002). The contents of this new course of study are in line with the National Educational Technology Standards produced by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
This course of study defines the minimum required content students need to achieve technology literacy. It places emphasis on “the importance of authentic integration of technology every day in every grade and subject.”
A conceptual framework, based on strands defined by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), is presented in the course of study. These six strands were used to identify technology foundation standards for students.
Technology Foundation Standards for Students (Slide Show)
1. Basic operations and concepts - Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation 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, prepare publications, and produce 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.
Student use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
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
This course of study defines the minimum required content students need to achieve technology literacy. It places emphasis on “the importance of authentic integration of technology every day in every grade and subject.”
A conceptual framework, based on strands defined by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), is presented in the course of study. These six strands were used to identify technology foundation standards for students.
Technology Foundation Standards for Students (Slide Show)
1. Basic operations and concepts - Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation 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, prepare publications, and produce 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.
Student use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
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