ISTE Launches First Phase of New Professional Development Website

DENVER, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) launches the first phase of ISTE Learning, www.istelearning.org, an innovative online professional development resource for educators that offers resources for implementing new technology in the classroom. The site debut coincides with ISTE 2010, a four-day conference for educators being held June 27-30 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

"ISTE Learning is a new online community and professional development marketplace where educators can sample free concepts, buy cool resources and exchange creative ideas," said Helen Padgett, president of ISTE, during the conference's opening address.

ISTE Learning poses the question, "What do you want to learn today?" and offers many ways for educators to answer that question. The site features learning experiences through socially networked platforms that replicate the environments today's students interact with regularly. It provides educators opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues on curriculum, and pick up tips on incorporating wikis, blogs, RSS feeds, games, podcasts and other tools. Relevant learning experiences are presented in multiple formats to strengthen the teaching experience and improve digital literacy.  

The site is organized as a virtual city, built on the bedrock of NETS, ISTE's standards for digital age learning, teaching and leadership. ISTE Learning's PD City includes four areas to discover: The Commons, Learning Labs, ISTE Café and ISTE U. Currently available to explore is The Commons area, which offers free "bite-sized" learning opportunities such as podcasts, webinars and literature abstracts. Learning Labs and the ISTE Cafe are expected to go live next October and ISTE U will be available January 2011.  

ISTE Learning focuses on four professional development topics each year. This year's topics include Web 2.0, project-based learning, digital citizenship, and gaming and simulations.  It also offers educators the chance to plug into The Buzz, ISTE's new professional development blog. Recent topics include tips for motivating students, a review of the applicability of the iPad for professional development, and a discussion of Ning and the implications of its new business model for educators.    

About ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. www.istelearning.org.

SOURCE International Society for Technology in Education