AASL and ISTE Standards:
What They Are and Their Impact on Libraries
The American Association of School Librarians and The International Society for Technology in Education have created standards, and by comparing and contrasting them, we can better understand best library practices. Both sets of standards have distinct purposes and in some ways the two overlap, but the bottom line is that they are designed to help teachers and librarians assist students in thinking, creating, sharing, and growing as learners. As Dotson and Dotson-Blake (2015, p.54) stated, "Attention to these standards can have a common purpose in moving learners towards the skills and behaviors needed in the digital age."
The AASL Standards and ISTE Standards are similar because they are focused on student learning and personal growth, and many of the terms are the same or similar. For example,the AASL standards are based on 6 shared foundations, and one of these is collaborate. Similarly, the ISTE student standards are divided into 6 roles, one of which is Global Collaborator.
Some of the standards are similar despite different names. For example, AASL’s term “Inquire” and ISTE’s “Empowered Learner” term mean similar things. Both sets of standards provide a framework that teachers, librarians, and administrators can use to improve student achievement and growth. AASL and ISTE do vary in some ways. For example, ISTE has separate standards for students, educators, education leaders (administrators), coaches, and computer science educators, and do not have standards for the library environment. Librarians are recognized within the category of educators instead of separately. AASL has standards that recognize learners, school librarians, and school libraries. While AASL standards are more focused on the student learning in general ways, ISTE standards are specific in that the student learns in virtual ways through the use of technology. The standards crosswalk is helpful to clearly see the standards' similarities and differences.
Librarians can learn best practices through understanding of these standards. Librarians and their library environments must be held accountable. Although these standards are not a classic subject area such as math and language arts, these are still important skills that students must learn as twenty first century learners. Students can expand their knowledge and perspectives and librarians can support this by providing opportunities for collaboration, both virtually and face-to-face. They can also facilitate networks such as Book Clubs and give opportunities to express their creativity. An example would be setting up Makerspaces in the library. Librarians also have the responsibility to model cooperation and guide students to participate in group discussions. All of these things must be balanced between face to face interactions as well as virtual ones, and at the same time ensuring that the library environment is conducive for these activities. Librarians have the responsibility to make it a welcoming place for students so that they will want to come there to learn, show creativity, and work with peers. This may mean setting up comfortable places to read individually, and setting up tables as well as open spaces for groups to meet to work on projects. The library also needs to be set up to be conducive for using technology, such as having reliable wifi and numerous plugs so that students can plug in devices while working if necessary. Maker spaces could be available to foster creativity, as well as laptop and ipad stations ready for student use any time. Below are some photos that encompass ISTE and AASL standards that inspire me as a future librarian.
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| Tables set up for collaboration...complete with a TV. |
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| Makerspaces are great for creativity and collaboration! |
References:
Dotson, K. D., & Dotson-Blake, K. (2015). Factors of engagement: Professional standards and the library science internship. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 59(3), 54-63.
