Using ISTE’s Essential Conditions to Support 21st Century Learning

How do we prepare our students for their future?  One way is to focus on 21st century learning.  In 2010, The U.S. Department of Education released Essential Conditions for Tech Integration to help ensure 21st century learning in schools.  There are fourteen Essential Conditions which include, shared vision, empowered leaders, implementation planning, consistent and adequate funding, equitable access, skilled personnel, ongoing professional development, technical support, curriculum framework, student-centered learning, assessment and evaluation, engaged communities, support policies, and supportive external context.  Every school district’s technology plan should be based on these Essential Conditions.  I am going to focus on what schools can include in their technology plan to support 21st century learning with three of the Essential Conditions: students-centered learning, assessment and evaluation, and ongoing professional development.

Student-Centered Learning

According to ISTE, having student-centered learning means, “Planning, teaching, and assessment centered around the needs and abilities of students.”  

Some ways a school can meet this Essential Condition:

• Students have access to technology in all classrooms
• Students have access to computers before and after school
• An internet safety curriculum is implemented
• Adaptive technology is available in all classrooms
• Google Drive for each student to allow for easy collaboration and feedback
• Technology is woven into the curriculum
• Students are engaged in learning projects that are relevant to them
• Focus on collaborative learning
• Students are working with a variety of modern technology
• Individualized learning for students

Assessment and Evaluation

ISTE describes assessment and evaluation as, “Continuous assessment of teaching, learning, and

leadership, and evaluation of the use of ICT and digital resources.”

Some ways a school can meet this Essential Condition:

• School districts can use an Essential Conditions rubric for staff, like the one found at Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction  for walkthroughs and self-assessments
• Create an online platform for students assessments, such as Google Forms
• Use a district wide platform for assessment data such as Infinite Campus
• Create common assessments for all learning areas that use technology

Ongoing Professional Development

ISTE explains that ongoing professional development is, “Technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities with dedicated time to practice and share ideas.”

Some ways a school can meet this Essential Condition:

• Each staff member creates a personal technology plan using SMART goals
• Staff members are surveyed for technology strengths and weaknesses
• Professional development is planned based on areas of need
• Teachers learn technology integration with their students
• One staff meeting a month is dedicated to technology professional development
• PLC time is used for technology implementation
• Teachers work together to learn new tools
• Teachers train each other based on strengths
• Weekly newsletters include technology tips
• Technology tutorials are available to teachers

Educators need to work together to support 21st Learning by focusing on ISTE Essential Conditions.  For schools to successfully prepare students for their future, it is necessary to focus on the quality technology integration. Using the ISTE Essential Conditions as a guideline is key for successful technology plans.