So, you spent forever developing lessons to meet National Educational Technology standards and now your state has adopted Common Core standards. Was all your time wasted? Definitely not! Don't fret; let's take a look at each technology standard, and then link Common Core standards to help create a standards double-play. National Educational Technology Standards are provided courtesy of ISTE.

Creativity and innovation

NETS: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Common Core: W.11-12.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Comment: Diving into project-based learning meeting the NETS will also include research and synthesizing multiple sources to construct knowledge.

Communication and collaboration

NETS: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Common Core: W.5.6. With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Comment: Numerous examples exist in the Common Core to encourage collaboration and many are easily facilitated though blogs and social media.

Research and information fluency

NETS: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

Common Core: W.8.8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Comment: These standards are aligned almost perfectly. Collecting and evaluating information from digital sources is very prevalent in the Common Core.

Critical thinking, problem solving and decision making

NETS: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Common Core: RST.11-12.7. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Comment: Research projects, using various types of resources, is a fundamental property of Common Core standards.

Digital citizenship

NETS: Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

Common Core: W.7.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.

Comment: These standards may not seem closely tied. However, both deal with ethical behavior such as citing sources. In addition, the Common Core standard encourages collaboration via technology. This would no doubt spur a conversation about acceptable use and expectations in our society.

Technology operations and concepts

NETS: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Common Core: W.9-10.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Comment: The NETS standard emphasizes knowledge of technology systems and the ability to choose the right tool for the job. In meeting the Common Core standard, students will need to have the skills to publish work online and choose the best web tool for their project.

Get to know the Common Core standards and you'll discover a world of connections to technology integration. The National Educational Technology Standards and the Common Core can definitely live in harmony.