OVERVIEW
What is an Educational Technology Specialist?
Edtech specialists facilitate the purposeful implementation of technology in academic settings, empowering educators to use digital resources effectively. They help schools make classroom learning exciting without compromising the integrity of the learning environment or neglecting students’ needs. Drawing from their extensive technical and pedagogical knowledge, they develop tech integration strategies that enhance learning experiences and improve academic performance. In some academic settings, edtech specialists are also known as instructional technology specialists.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Educational Technology Specialist Do?
These professionals have a diverse set of responsibilities. Their ultimate goal is to help schools use technology effectively. This requires them to communicate with school representatives about academic objectives, find opportunities for classroom enrichment, implement technological solutions to meet the identified needs, and troubleshoot technical issues with new hardware or software applications.
Typical everyday responsibilities of an edtech specialist include:
- Auditing a school’s current technological landscape to identify opportunities for technology integration.
- Identifying devices, digital learning platforms, educational applications, and other technologies that could benefit specific academic environments.
- Explaining the costs and benefits of various technological options to school representatives.
- Overseeing the installation of new technologies.
- Ensuring that new technologies seamlessly integrate with the existing technological infrastructure.
- Training educators to use devices, platforms, online tools, software, and other resources to increase engagement, improve student outcomes, and foster digital literacy.
- Working in partnership with school representatives and IT professionals to ensure technologies function as intended.
- Fixing bugs, installing updates, and addressing IT challenges.
- Revising technology-related plans to meet changing student and educator needs.
- Researching new educational technologies and staying abreast of emerging trends.
From orchestrating clever technical solutions to leading training sessions, an edtech specialist’s daily efforts revolve around the proficient use of technology in the classroom. Their work directly impacts the quality of education students receive.
Where Do Educational Technology Specialists Work?
Typically, an edtech specialist will work directly with a school’s representatives to inform their understanding of specific educational devices, hardware, and software applications.
As an instructional technology specialist, you could work for:
- Elementary, middle, and high schools
- Colleges and universities
- Trade schools and other post-secondary academic institutions
- Third-party curriculum providers
- Educational technology companies
- Consultancy firms
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Educational Technology Specialist?
If you want to become an edtech specialist, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Many educational technologists have undergraduate degrees in elementary or secondary education. However, a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or information systems can also provide a strong foundation for a career in educational technology. Employers often prioritize applicants with at least a few years of experience in an academic setting, preferably in a technology-related role.
Earning a postgraduate degree focusing on technology in education will increase your chances of obtaining an advanced position and help you stand out from the competition. A Master of Education in Education Technology and Instructional Design degree can equip you with skills in learning design and analytics, research methodology, and e-learning solutions. If you want to continue working while you earn your master’s degree, consider attending an online university that provides the flexibility you need to balance professional responsibilities and coursework. Acquiring an educational technology specialist certification will further demonstrate your proficiency and dedication to prospective employers.
Best Degrees for Educational Technology Specialist
Education
Elementary Education – B.A.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers....
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish this degree within 36 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Language Arts Instruction
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Disciplinary Literacy
- Children’s Literature
This elementary education degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online teaching degree program helps you to be eligible for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
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: $4,125 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 Educational Technology Specialist Make?
$68,086
An edtech specialist’s income varies based on factors such as their employer, location, experience, and education. The average annual salary for educational technology specialists is $68,086, and salaries can range from roughly $26,500 to $106,000 a year.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
2%
Edtech specialists are expected to remain in demand as schools continue integrating technology into physical and virtual classrooms. Employment for all instructional coordinators, including edtech specialists, is expected to grow by 2% from 2022 to 2032. There will be an estimated 19,200 openings for instructional coordinators each year.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Educational Technology Specialist Need?
As an edtech specialist, your work lies at the intersection of technology and education. You’ll need a well-rounded skill set involving technical competencies, pedagogical expertise, and interpersonal capabilities. The following aptitudes will enable you to provide thoughtful guidance regarding the adoption of technology in academic settings:
Technical proficiency. A working knowledge of reputable educational applications, learning management systems, online platforms, and devices will allow you to make informed recommendations to schools and guide them through the process of integrating technology into their curriculums.
Pedagogical knowledge. You’ll need to understand instructional methodologies, learning theories, and teaching philosophies to advance educational goals through technology.
User support. Edtech professionals often provide technical assistance to educators, administrators, and students.
Collaboration. The ability to communicate with IT team members, school representatives, and educators to identify and satisfy technological needs is an essential component of an edtech specialist’s job.
Public speaking. As an edtech specialist, you’ll present your ideas, conclusions, and proposals to various groups of individuals, including teachers, administrators, IT departments, and school board representatives.
Problem-solving. Edtech specialists are tasked with detecting and solving problems that might compromise the efficacy of digital tools and resources.
Research. You’ll need strong research skills to identify new technologies that could benefit an educational environment.
Project management. Time management, delegation, task prioritization, and resource management skills will help you handle multiple projects simultaneously.
These skills will enable you to perform your job duties effectively and, ultimately, enhance students’ educational journeys.
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