AASL and ISTE Standards

Librarians are a good choice for advocating the integration of technology into learning outcomes for courses and instruction. They should be both competent with American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and Standard and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). AASL focuses on problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills while giving teachers some flexibility and options in delivering the curriculum while ISTE centers on evaluating the core skills and knowledge base that educational coaches need to advise and support teachers in an always connected global society (Dotson, 55). Both standards focus on skill sets that work in tandem to develop individuals that are literate in the use of technology for a workplace.

These standards offer guidance for teachers and librarians to help move learners forward. Use of these standards can help with developing students' digital literacy skills as defined by the America Library Association. ALA defines digital literacy skills as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills (American Library Association [ALA], 2017). The largest challenges for preparation programs is to be able to equip professionals to grasp and integrate the standards to better meet the needs of teachers and students they will serve (Dotson, 55).

As a technology professional working in education I find that many faculty/teachers are unaware of the resources available to help them with integrating digital literacy skills into their curriculum. As a future library technology professional I plan to help advertise and promote these standards when possible.

Dotson, K.B. & Dotson, K.P. (2015). Factors of Engagement: Professional Standards and the Library Science Internship. TechTrends, 59 (3), 54-64.

"Professional Tools for Librarians Serving Youth", American Library Association, February 28, 2017. http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/professional-tools (Accessed May 24, 2019) Document ID: 64e40bc2-dbe3-5be4-05ae-9595032c4f78