NETS/ITSE Standards

The effective use of technology in the classroom is set forth by the National Educational Technology Standards for students (NETS) technology standards.  The International Society for Technology in Education ISTE also supports these standards. For a summary of the NETS standards for students and instructors, please click here.

Educational Models

Good instruction has a basis in sound and established research.  Three major theories of education are the Behaviorist model, the Cognitive Model, and the Constructivist Model. Although they all have some similarities and differences, all have a place in the classroom at one time or another. Key researchers for the Behaviorist model are B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson. This model focuses on the output of the learner without any consideration for internal processing or thinking.  The Cognitive model stresses that knowledge is organized into a schema, with knowledge acquisition an active part of the learning process. The use of feedback and support is a critical aspect of the cognitive schema.  Important figures in the Cognitive Model are Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, and David Ausubel.  Finally, the Constructivist model claims that knowledge is constructed as a result of the learning process. Learners build on what they already know to make advances in learning and new connections. Important constructivist researchers include Howard Gardner, Lev Vygotsky, and Robert Gagne.

For more information about the three learning theories, please click here. 

DID model

The Dynamic Instructional Design model, or DID is based on designing technology infused instruction and focuses on creating an effective learning environment for the students.  This model is very learner-centered, and includes special steps such as identifying the learning styles of the learners, and establishing a comfortable learning environment. There is the opportunity for feedback at each stage of the Dynamic Instructional Model, to improve the pace and depth of the lesson, and to reach the learners most effectively.

NTeQ model

The iNtegrating Technology for inQuiry model, or NTeQ model, is an inquiry based model. This model is a ten step approach to technology, which focuses on specifying objectives, and using  an inquiry or problem-based approach to solve the problems. A strength of this model is the use of specific instructions for students during, before, and after computer use, which will help keep computer time focused and meaningful.

Bloom's Taxonomy

One of the ways of categorizing cognition levels was developed by Benjamin Bloom in 1956. Known as Bloom's Taxonomy, this taxonomy outlines the levels of creative and cognitive thinking that should be created while defining objectives. The taxonomy includes six levels of increasing difficulty. Each level is paired with a set of verbs to activate that level.

View  Bloom's Taxonomy Levels for a lesson plan about creating a museum brochure.

Tomei's Taxonomy for the Technology Domain

Lawrence Tomei developed a classification for technology levels to correspond with the taxonomy levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. Tomei includes six progressive levels  for classification of objectives, and includes specific verbs to activate thinking and learning at each level. 

View Tomei's Taxonomy Levels for a lesson plan about creating a museum brochure.

Comparing Bloom's and Tomei's Taxonomies

Tomei developed his taxonomy to coincide with the levels classified in Bloom's taxonomy. Click on the link to view the comparison of these two levels and how their objective levels overlap.

Side By Side Comparison of Bloom's and Tomei's Levels