Self-motivation for students.

The whole idea of connectivism is that the student has control over their own learning and how it happens. The goal of this is to get students thinking critically, asking good questions, creating group learning opportunities and self-guide the process of how knowledge is received.

Now, regarding connectivism and the ISTE standards for educators, teachers must essentially practice what they preach. They too must stay in a learner mindset, never believing they have arrived to a place where they do not need to think critically, ask good questions, etc. Educators must see themselves as a leader, not dictator, in the classroom “to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning.”

The ISTE standards are a great check point for educators to self-reflect and evaluate not only where they are, but where their students are. It’s a great road map to figure out on which standard practice one should spend some more time!