Utah Valley University (UVU) has emerged as a national leader in digital teaching and learning by becoming one of the first universities to commit to institution-wide adoption of the newly released ISTE Faculty Standards for Digital Teaching and Learning Competencies.
Utah Valley University (UVU) has emerged as a national leader in digital teaching and learning by becoming one of the first universities to commit to institution-wide adoption of the newly released ISTE Faculty Standards for Digital Teaching and Learning Competencies. Released by ISTE+ASCD in collaboration with Old Dominion University, the standards provide a research-based framework to guide higher education faculty in integrating technology across teaching, research, and service.
UVU’s early adoption builds on years of intentional work within the UVU School of Education, which signed the ISTE Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge in 2022. That pledge formalized the School of Education’s commitment to “technology for transformative learning,” emphasizing equitable access, ethical use of digital tools, and meaningful technology integration throughout educator preparation programs.
With guidance from School of Education Director of Innovation Dr. Krista Ruggles, and in partnership with the UVU Office of Teaching and Learning, UVU has embedded technology-rich learning experiences across coursework and clinical practice. Preservice teachers engage directly with the ISTE Standards as part of their professional preparation, ensuring they graduate ready to design inclusive, innovative, and workforce-aligned learning environments.
The ISTE Faculty Standards define six key faculty roles — Instructor, Coordinator, Leader, Researcher, Learner, and Contributor — offering a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging technology to strengthen academic practice. By adopting these standards institution-wide, UVU reinforces its commitment to preparing educators and graduates who can lead in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
As higher education faces increasing technological change and workforce demands, UVU’s early and sustained commitment positions the university as a model for how institutions can thoughtfully integrate digital competencies to support students, communities, and the broader education ecosystem across Utah and beyond.
