OVERVIEW
What is an Instructional Technology Specialist?
Also known as educational technology specialists, instructional technology specialists are well versed in technology and skilled in teaching. A big part of their job is to connect students and educators with the right digital resources so that they have better learning experiences.
Instructional technologists are constantly on the lookout for the latest tech tools that can support educational success. They also train teachers and school administrators on how to use technology in the learning process.
As an instructional technology specialist, you can work virtually anywhere learning happens, including elementary, middle, and secondary schools; colleges or universities; government agencies; or corporations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Instructional Technologist Do?
Instructional technology specialists have a hand in researching, implementing, and maintaining educational technology for all types of learning settings. They often work alongside school administrators and instructional coordinators in curriculum design to introduce new technologies for classroom instruction—or to tweak existing ones.
To give you an idea of what an instructional technology specialist does, here’s a glimpse into what your day-to-day might look like in this role:
- Developing computer training materials and teaching educators how to set up and use computer applications and technologies.
- Gathering and interpreting information about the effectiveness of a program and providing input in the program evaluation.
- Identifying new hardware and software programs that could benefit specific learning environments.
- Troubleshooting issues with hardware or software applications.
- Supporting the use of computers in classrooms.
- Acting as a liaison between local, state, and federal agencies.
- Auditing a school’s current technology to find opportunities for improvement.
- Communicating with school representatives about the benefits of specific technologies over others.
- Collaborating with school representatives and IT team members.
- Updating platforms and devices to meet changing student and educator needs.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Instructional Technologist?
Step One: Earn your undergraduate degree.
To get started on this career path, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. Many people who become instructional technologists have a degree in education, computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Step Two: Earn your master’s degree in an educational field.
A master's degree in education technology and instructional design can be a good option for aspiring instructional technologists. This degree will deepen your knowledge of fields like design analysis, research foundations, measurement and evaluation, and literature review.
Step Three: Gain experience.
Many employers prioritize applicants who have at least a few years of experience in an academic setting, preferably where they maintained technology-related responsibilities.
Step Four: Check with your state about licensure and certifications.
Once you complete the required level of education, you’ll need to meet your state’s requirements for instructional technology specialists. For instance, your state might require you to pass a test to become licensed or to earn an instructional technology specialist certificate.
Step Five: Apply for jobs.
Once you have all the necessary education and skills, the next step is to start applying to open instructional technology specialist jobs at schools, private companies, government institutions, and more.
Best Degrees for Instructional Technology Specialists
Education
Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
No teaching license required.
- Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
- Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:
- The K-12 pathway
- The Adult Learner pathway
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Learning Experience Design
- Assessment and Learning Analytics
- Learning Technology
- Research Methodology
Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.
How Much Does an Instructional Technology Specialist Make?
$63,131
The average annual instructional technology specialist salary is $63,131, but the range typically falls between $54,223 and $73,360, according to Salary.com.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
10%
Demand for instructional technology specialists is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for all instructional coordinator careers is expected to grow by 10% from 2020 to 2030.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Instructional Technology Specialist Need?
To excel as an instructional technology specialist, you’ll need a range of hard and soft skills, including:
- Tech savvy: You should understand how the technology and software commonly used in educational settings functions. This is key in teaching these technologies to others.
- Good communication: To effectively teach students, educators, and staff how to use various forms of technology, you need to be able to clearly and effectively explain these concepts.
- Creative problem-solving: When troubleshooting technological problems or training others on how to use a form of instructional technology, creativity is key in solving problems and working around roadblocks.
- Organization: You must be highly organized to manage the complexities of different instructional technologies across many different users in an educational system like a school.
- Research: Strong research skills are necessary to keep up with educational trends and innovations. This will also be key as you determine what technologies will best meet a learner’s needs.
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