I am seeing more and more mention of the need to combine technology and library curricula (e.g., ITIL, LwICT) into a unified approach to teaching students how to search for, analyze, cite, create, and communicate information. Various literacies, including technology, are involved in this process. As we have shared many times on the Edtech Co-Op podcast, school leaders may want to consider adopting the Information and Communication Literacies (ICL) approach, which combines ICT and library studies.
In 2004, the librarians, instructional technologists, teachers, and administrators at Hong Kong International School (HKIS) came together to write the school standards for technology and inquiry. It was clear from the start that our standards would provide an umbrella of learning outcomes engaging technology and research skills as the instructional technologists and librarians were already closely working together. We already physically shared space in the libraries in two of the four divisions.
The committee proposed dropping the “T” in ICT to replace it with “L” for literacies. The newly created ICL collection of standards predated the new NETS and the AALS standards. You can see the HKIS ICL standards here. What was terrific was that they matched the overall academic standards for the school.
Looking at my new school, Washington International School (WIS), the librarians and instructional technologists have been working with the directors of studies at both campuses to develop their ICL standards drawing from the NETS and AASL standards. I am posting a draft version of the MS and HS standards below. I like that they decided to drop the term “digital” about citizenship. Good citizenship applies whether one is interacting face-to-face or digitally with others. The Primary School standards will be posted shortly.
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1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative processes using a variety of media.
In grades 6-10, students:
● apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, processes or learning.
● create original work as a means of personal or group expression.
● use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
● identify trends and forecast possibilities.
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students effectively communicate through a variety of media and work collaboratively to support learning and contribute to the learning of others.
In grades 6-10, students:
● interact and collaborate in order to analyze and organize information, ideas, knowledge and understanding about complex topics
● communicate to multiple audiences using a variety of information tools.
● consider diverse perspectives and thereby develop new understanding and global
awareness by engaging with peers, experts and learners from other cultures.
● participate and contribute to project teams to make decisions, produce original work or
solve problems.
3. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking to plan and conduct research, manage projects and make informed decisions using appropriate tools and resources.
In grades 6-10, students:
● identify and define authentic problems.
● define and refine the search for new understanding.
● plan and manage a project to develop a solution that goes beyond the superficial collection of facts.
● collect, analyze and report data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
● use diverse perspectives and multiple processes to explore alternative solutions.
4. Research and Information Fluency
Students effectively gather, evaluate and use information from a variety of sources.
In grades 6-10, students:
● follow an inquiry-based process to seek knowledge in curricular subjects and discover ways to use this process in their lives outside school.
● find, evaluate and select information sources based on their appropriateness to specific tasks or questions.
● locate, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources and media.
● demonstrate adaptability by changing the inquiry focus, resources or strategies when necessary to achieve success.
5. Citizenship in the Digital Age
Students understand cultural and societal issues, including those related to media and technology, in order to practice ethical behavior.
In grades 6-10, students:
● advocate and practice safe, legal and responsible use of information and technology.
● exhibit a positive attitude towards information and technology that supports collaboration,
learning and productivity.
● demonstrate personal responsibility and ethics when selecting and using information and
technology tools.
● transfer current knowledge to learn, use and evaluate new information or technologies.
6. Pursuit and Assessment of Personal Growth
Students demonstrate a love of learning and enthusiastically embrace challenges.
In grades 6-10, students:
● assess the quality and effectiveness of their learning process.
● evaluate their ability to select resources that are engaging and appropriate for personal
interests and needs.
● demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
● read, view and listen to creative expression and literature (fiction and nonfiction) for
pleasure and personal growth.
(WIS used both ISTE and AASL standards in crafting these learning outcomes.)
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