I recently came across an interesting article regarding the National Educational Computing Conference this year (took place June 29-July 2 and is the largest K-12 technology conference). The article discusses a new set of standards for teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom. The article notes "that long-standing hierarchies of educational authority are giving way to more collaborative approaches to teaching and learning such as the use of wikis, blogs, and social networks." We are starting to see some of the same developments in higher education, re-emphasizing that the barriers between the two levels of education are diminishing, and that there are things we might learn from K-12 to enhance the learning experiences of our future students.
The article goes on to note that "the new standards emphasize the need for teachers to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, to design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments, to model digital-age work and learning, to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility, and to engage in professional growth and leadership." These changes will ultimately drive new pedagogy and content in the higher education market. That will likely mean more changes for course materials at some stage.
The new standards can be found online at ISTE.
