Professional Certifications and Further Study

ISTE / NCATE Standards for Educational Technology Programs

See: http://cnets.iste.org/ncate

The NCATE standards lie at the heart of quality teacher preparation. ISTE has developed performance assessment standards for initial and advanced educational computing and technology programs including: (1) the technology facilitation initial endorsement; (2) the technology leadership advanced program; and (3) the secondary computer science education preparation programs. Institutions offering one or more of these programs should respond to the corresponding set of program standards.

Technology Facilitation (TF) -- Initial Endorsement Standards

Technology Facilitation (TF) endorsement programs meeting ISTE standards prepare candidates to serve as building/campus-level technology facilitators. Candidates completing this program will exhibit knowledge, skills, and dispositions equipping them to teach technology applications; demonstrate effective use of technology to support student learning of content; and provide professional development, mentoring, and basic technical assistance for other teachers who require support in their efforts to apply technology to support student learning.

Technology Leadership (TL) -- Advanced Program Standards

Technology Leadership (TL) advanced programs meeting ISTE standards prepare candidates to serve as technology directors, coordinators, or specialists. Special preparation in computing systems, facilities planning and management, instructional program development, staff development, and other advanced applications of technology to support student learning and assessment will prepare candidates to serve in technology-related leadership positions at district, regional, and/or state levels.

Secondary Computer Science Education (CSED) -- Endorsement/Degree Program Standards

Secondary Computer Science Education programs meeting ISTE standards prepare candidates to serve as teachers of computer science in secondary schools. They focus on preparing their students in the more technical aspects of computing such as problem analysis, algorithm selection and evaluation; program design, implementation, specification, and verification; and systems analysis.

Business and Industrial Certifications

It is not uncommon for teachers to require industrial certifications in conjunction with academic training. School computer laboratory coordinators, for example, typically need certification in networking and/or computer repair in order to fulfill their job responsibilities. Students may pursue these and other certifications through the University’s Center for Business Information Technologies (CBIT). CBIT is a collaborative program run in partnership with the University of Bridgeport and Syracuse University.

iMSIT students may cross-enroll in CBIT courses at a 20% discount.

Students may also pursue studies leading to a 30+ MS, 6th Year Professional Diploma, or the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with options for further studies in Instructional Technology at the University of Bridgeport or other accredited programs.

Check back for updates on endorsements and cross-endorsements in educational technology.