International Society for Technology in Education

International Society for Technology in Education
Name	International Society for Technology in Education
Founded	0 1979
Founder	David Moursund and a group of University of Oregon faculty
Location	Arlington, Virginia, United States
Key people	Richard Culatta (CEO)
Focus	Educational technology
Website	https://www.iste.org/

International Society for Technology in Education. It is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to accelerating the use of technology to solve tough problems and inspire innovation in education. Founded in the late 1970s, it provides practical guidance, evidence-based professional learning, virtual networks, and events for educators and education leaders worldwide. The organization is widely recognized for developing a comprehensive set of standards for students, educators, and education administrators that have been adopted across the United States and globally.

History

The organization was established in 1979 by David Moursund and a consortium of faculty from the University of Oregon, initially operating under the name the International Council for Computers in Education. Its early work focused on the nascent field of computer science in K–12 schools, publishing the seminal journal *The Computing Teacher*. A pivotal moment came in 1989 when it merged with the International Association for Computing in Education, adopting its current name to reflect a broader mission encompassing all educational technology. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it expanded its influence significantly, launching major initiatives like the National Educational Technology Standards and establishing its flagship event, the ISTE Conference & Expo.

Standards

The organization is best known for its widely adopted standards frameworks, which began with the release of the National Educational Technology Standards for students in 1998. These were later refreshed and rebranded simply as the ISTE Standards, encompassing comprehensive guidelines for students, educators, education administrators, coaches, and computer science educators. The standards, such as the ISTE Standards for Students, emphasize skills like computational thinking, digital citizenship, and creative communication. They have been translated into multiple languages and serve as a foundational framework for school districts, state departments of education, and ministries of education around the world, influencing policy in places like Australia, the European Union, and Saudi Arabia.

Membership and structure

Membership is open to individuals, including teachers, technology coordinators, library media specialists, and school administrators, as well as institutional members like school districts and universities. The governance structure includes a board of directors elected by the membership, which oversees strategic direction. Key leadership has included CEOs such as Don Knezek and the current CEO, Richard Culatta, former director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. The organization also fosters professional networks through Professional Learning Networks focused on specific niches like digital equity and computer science.

Conferences and events

Its premier event is the annual ISTE Conference & Expo, one of the world’s largest educational technology conferences, typically attracting over 16,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibiting companies like Google for Education, Microsoft Education, and Apple. Other significant events include the ISTE Creative Constructor Lab and the ISTE Leadership Exchange. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it rapidly pivoted to offer large-scale virtual events and continues to host the ISTE Live digital conference. These gatherings feature keynotes from prominent figures like Michele Borba and Ruha Benjamin and provide a forum for showcasing innovations from edtech startups and established publishers.

Publications and resources

The organization produces a wide array of publications and digital resources. Its flagship magazine, *ISTE*, provides in-depth articles on trends and research for members. It also publishes numerous books through its ISTE Books imprint, authored by experts like Catlin Tucker and Monica Burns. Key online resources include the ISTE U platform, which offers graduate-level professional learning courses, and the EdSurge website, an independent digital media outlet acquired in 2019 that covers education technology news. Additional tools include the ISTE Certification for educators and the ISTE Seal of Alignment for product review.

Impact and recognition

The organization has profoundly shaped the integration of technology in pre-K through higher education globally. Its standards have been directly incorporated into the European Commission’s Digital Competence Framework and curriculum frameworks in nations like Uruguay and South Korea. It has received awards and grants from entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for its work in computer science and professional development. Through advocacy, it influences policy discussions at the United States Congress and UNESCO, promoting initiatives focused on digital equity and closing the digital divide.

Category:Educational technology organizations Category:Education in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in Virginia