Learning Strands
CONNECT
Culture
This strand explores the powerful synergy between Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE) and technologies of the past and present. Participants will discover how to strengthen learners’ cultural identity and ‘āina-based Learning (E Ola!). By grounding innovation in a sense of place, educators can guide students to use technology to document Moʻolelo (stories), revitalize language, practice indigenous land stewardship and perpetuate their culture.
Examples: Using tech to strengthen ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi learning, culturally grounded approaches to AI in education, community-led digital projects, project-based and hands-on projects that connect haumāna to ʻāina through tech, AR/VR tools for classroom storytelling, virtual huakaʻi for cultural and science learning, practice tools for language and cultural integration in classrooms.
ISTE Student Alignment: Knowledge Constructor
CONNECT
Transformation
As automation and AI redefine the global landscape, this strand focuses on the essential skills for future-readiness. Grounded in Academic Competence (E Ola!), we move beyond digital literacy to true Computational Thinking (ISTE). Educators will explore the intersection of AI ethics, data-driven decision-making, and design thinking to cultivate the problem-solving mindset students need to lead in the 21st century.
Examples: Building AI literacy by auditing models for ethical use, visualizing complex data sets for advocacy, and applying design thinking to prototype sustainable solutions.
ISTE Student Alignment: Computational Thinker
CONNECT
Well-being
In an age of AI and constant connectivity, maintaining balance is vital for Holistic Well-being. This strand focuses on the human side of technology, cultivating the emotional intelligence and ethical habits needed to thrive in digital spaces. By embracing play, educators act as collaborators who foster wonder and curiosity in the classroom. This approach empowers haumāna to navigate the complexities of online life with empathy and “Digital Aloha,” while providing educators with the space to cultivate their own well-being practices and personal digital toolkits.
Examples: Tech tools and cultural practices or mindfulness and SEL; strengthening pilina between school and ʻohana, healthy media habits for haumāna.
ISTE Student Alignment: Digital Citizen
ISTE Educator Alignment: Citizen; Collaborator
CONNECT
Advocacy
Technology should serve as a tool to create meaningful change—not just in digital spaces, but across our communities and in relationship with ʻāina. This strand focuses on Kuleana (Responsibility) and the educator’s role in leveraging technology and edtech for digital advocacy, equity, and social kuleana. The purpose is to strengthen partnerships and collaborations through and with technology, empowering haumāna and educators to co-design solutions that address real-world challenges, honor ʻāina, and foster communities for good.
Examples: School-community projects that solve local issues and care for ʻāina, practical steps for co-designing learning experiences with community and ʻāina-based partners, showcasing success stories of tech-enabled advocacy and collaboration, exploring platforms that amplify student voices in civic engagement, creating pathways for equitable access to technology and resources, digital citizenship beyond “good behavior”—active participation for change.
ISTE Student Alignment: Digital Citizen; Global Collaborator
ISTE Educator Alignment: Leader; Collaborator
CONNECT
Agency
True connectivity begins when students take the driver’s seat of their own learning. This strand focuses on fostering Self-Agency (E Ola!) by transforming learners from passive consumers into Empowered Learners and Innovative Designers (ISTE Students) who set goals, make decisions, and design meaningful outcomes. We will explore practical frameworks that allow for voice, choice, and authentic leadership, shifting the teacher’s role to that of a Facilitator (ISTE Educators) who intentionally designs the conditions where every learner can thrive.
Examples: Students set goals and choose their learning pathways, student voice choice and leadership through technology, students design real world projects through project based learning, teachers facilitate learning that builds student agency.
ISTE Student Alignment: Empowered Learner; Innovative Designer
ISTE Educator Alignment: Facilitator