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ISTE+ASCD and ODU Unveil First-of-Its-Kind ISTE Faculty Standards for Digital Teaching and Learning Competencies

Iste ascd press release vibrant blue
November 21, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. - ISTE+ASCD, in collaboration with Old Dominion University (ODU), today released the ISTE Faculty Standards for Digital Teaching and Learning Competencies, a research-based framework designed to empower higher education faculty across their full range of responsibilities: teaching, research, and service. The standards arrive at a pivotal moment for higher education, as institutions navigate demographic shifts, enrollment pressures, and rapid technological change.

Developed specifically for higher education and empirically validated, the ISTE Standards for Faculty offer a comprehensive guide for integrating technology across faculty roles—helping them design inclusive learning experiences, leverage digital tools for scholarship, mentor students and colleagues, and contribute meaningfully to their institutions through their digital expertise and leadership.

The standards define six key roles through which faculty engage technology to strengthen academic practice:

  • Instructor: Designing accessible, innovative, and workforce-aligned learning experiences using digital tools.
  • Coordinator: Managing courses, curricula, and communications through digital systems that enhance student success.
  • Leader: Driving innovation through advocacy, mentoring and modeling digital practices
  • Researcher: Advance scholarship through effective and ethical use of technology for inquiry and dissemination
  • Learner: Engaging in continuous professional growth focused on innovative practices and emerging technologies
  • Contributor: Leveraging digital tools to support service, community partnerships, and institutional initiatives.

“The ISTE Standards have long served as a trusted compass for educators making thoughtful choices about when, where, and why to use technology to improve learning,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD. “These new faculty standards give higher education a clear roadmap for harnessing emerging technologies in ways that are meaningful, ethical, and future-focused.”

Institutions across the country will be integrating the ISTE Faculty Standards to strengthen teaching quality, support accreditation, and ensure faculty have the contemporary skills needed in today’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

Universities adopting the standards institution-wide include Old Dominion University (ODU), Aquinas College, and Utah Valley University (UVU).

“At Old Dominion University, aligning our work with the ISTE Faculty Standards reflects our shared commitment to innovation, digital fluency, and evidence-based practice. These standards provide a forward-looking framework that strengthens how faculty engage with technology across teaching, research, and operations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Through this collaboration, we continue to empower our educators and leaders to model the digital leadership and adaptability our students need to thrive in a connected world.” — Dr. Chrysoula Malogianni, Senior Associate Vice President for Digital Innovation, Old Dominion University

“By adopting the ISTE Faculty Standards across Utah Valley University, we are not only advancing innovation in our classrooms but also strengthening the entire education ecosystem we serve. This commitment ensures that UVU faculty and graduates are equipped with the digital competencies and teaching practices needed to support schools, communities, and industries across Utah and beyond.” — W. James Jacob, Dean, School of Education, Utah Valley University

“We look forward to continuing to support our liberal arts pedagogy by aligning our use of technology across departments with the ISTE Faculty Standards. Harnessing the potential of these standards, faculty are empowered to champion emerging technologies and inspire progress in an ever-evolving future." — Terry Keller, Provost, Aquinas College

As colleges and universities confront shifting enrollment trends and workforce demands, adopting the ISTE Faculty Standards can offer a unified approach to ensuring every faculty member—not only those in technology-focused fields—can confidently integrate digital tools to support student learning, research excellence, and community engagement.

To learn more about the ISTE Faculty Standards, visit https://www.iste.org/standards/faculty.

About ISTE+ASCD
ISTE+ASCD is the largest innovation-focused education non-profit worldwide, working in every US state and over 100 countries around the world. The ISTE Standards are research-based and field tested, guiding education professionals to use technology effectively to transform learning. ISTE+ASCD offers inspiring events, professional certifications, dynamic member communities and innovative thought leadership to design the future of learning.

About ODU
Old Dominion University is a nationally recognized public research institution located in Norfolk, Virginia, serving more than 23,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Through its Forward-Focused (FF) strategy, ODU is leading digital transformation in higher education—advancing innovation in teaching, research, and operations through artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and digital learning ecosystems. The university’s leadership in digital transformation continues to redefine institutional excellence and student success for the modern era.