Online Instructional Technology Degrees
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Instructional technology involves giving educators of all kinds access to and training in the latest technology, allowing them to revolutionize their classrooms and deliver the most up-to-date and innovative classes possible. Every day you'll solve problems, teach teachers, and touch lives both directly and indirectly. With the growth of distance learning and online school systems, you can help people you'll never meet use technology to broaden their educational horizons. If you love technology, education, and shaking things up, then a career in instructional technology could be right for you.
As a professional in this field, you'll work in academic settings, helping instructors make the best possible use of available technology. On the most basic level, this means making sure that teachers know how to use their own computers for research, communications, and lesson planning. Even with computer literacy is on the rise, expect to run training sessions regularly to make sure that all the teachers at your school are on the same page.
iPads and other consumer electronics are making their ways into classrooms as instructional technology experts find educational applications for them. As an instructional technology worker, you will be an expert in all aspect of technology and combine that expertise with an understanding of classroom dynamics. Implementing long term technology solutions will be a part of your responsibility. Evaluating and taking inventory of technology, you will work with curriculum supervisors (like principals, department heads, and even superintendents) to plot a course for technology in the classroom.
More and more schools are offering dedicated instructional technology and instructional design degrees, usually through a master's degree program. Others choose to get an IT degree as an undergrad, then a master's in education. Whatever course you plot for yourself, you need to know tech, people, and classrooms if you want to succeed in this field.
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Accredited Schools Offering Online Instructional Technology Degrees
Learn more about Kaplan University - Education Programs
Career Specializations
Instructional technology is diverse, dynamic, and ever-changing. Opportunities for specialization and career focus are as wide open as your imagination. These are just a few directions you can go:
Online Learning Specialist: You work with experts and thought leaders in your school to develop effective online learning and teaching tools. This field is exploding with the advent of online universities, and more high schools are offering an online, distance learning component for students who can't attend a brick and mortar school for whatever reason. Experience with online communications systems (such as e-mail and forums), web design and coding will all be necessary parts of this kind of specialization (Onet).
Knowledge Sharing Specialist: So many teachers waste a lot of their time reinventing the wheel. With your background in classroom methods and information technology, you can help teachers share lesson plans, time management tools, and adapt classroom exercises to fit their needs. In education, like everywhere else, you want to work smarter, not harder (Onet).
Degree Levels
All instructional technology professionals must have a master's degree in education, technology, or a related field, and must possess valid teaching credentials for their state.
Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
Master's Degree: 2 years
Education Requirements
While various schools are rolling out dedicated instructional technology programs, getting into this field is still very often a self-made process. It often starts when teachers begin using new technologies in the classroom, like SMART boards, or begins using new digital tools like widgets.
Often a degree in computer science, information technology (IT) or a related technical field is a good start. If you have an idea about which area of instructional technology you'd like to eventually work in, then take classes pertaining to that focus. For instance, if you dream of building online schools, then web design and coding classes will be vital. You'll also want to stay on top of security issues, like knowing good anti-spam resources and being aware of privacy issues online. Internship opportunities at schools or educational institutions of any kind will go a long way towards teaching you about the kind of opportunities you will find in the working world.
Next you need a master's degree and teaching credentials. In many states these two go hand-in-hand. You'll take a master's in education program and then sit for the appropriate licensing test. Be sure to investigate your state's specific licensing qualifications. A master's in education will help you develop the appropriate educational background and experience to be functional as an instructional technology professional. Expect most schools to want you to have about five years of experience in the classroom before transitioning into an instructional technology position.
Internships and volunteer hours spent helping out with technology programs in schools will also help improve your resume and give you the skills you'll need to be a great instructional technology worker. Look for any opportunity you can find to get into a school, in front of a group of teachers, or even programming remote resources for educators to use.
Salary Information
Salaries don't vary much by degree. If you have the credentials to get a job in this field, then your earnings will be based on your market area and number of years served. Many public schools have a union that bargains for salary levels based on experience. The median salary for instructional technology experts is $58,830. The top ten percent of earners brought in $93,080.
Certification Requirements
Teaching credential requirements vary by state. Be sure to check with your state's department of education for details.
Job Outlook
The US Department of Labor expects the need for instructional technology professionals to grow by 23 percent during the period of time from 2008 to 2018 (BLS). The continued growth of technology and its importance in the classroom will drive the need for workers in this specialty. Technology is only becoming more integrated into our daily lives. Teaching students and instructors to use that technology more effectively and take advantage of all the doors that it can open will make a career in instructional technology a strong investment for years to come.
