What is Educational Technology?
Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.
-Kurt, S. (2017)
What does an Educational Technologist do?
An educational technologist works in K-12 schools providing support and aiding with the development, implementation, and analysis of new technologies that improve the learning process. They also combine knowledge of technological tools with educational content to enhance learning for students. The technological tools usually involve computer hardware, software, and Web-based products.
Describe a variety of specific skills, responsibilities, and contributions.
An Educational Technologist should have a strong intrinsic desire to learn new and emerging technologies that apply to education, including but not limited to adult and non-traditional student markets. Have Excellent problem solving abilities when dealing with troubleshooting a system or critically evaluating new software. They should be strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills working in a student-centered environment.
-University of Saint Mary (Kansas)
What career opportunities are available to Educational Technology professionals?
Computer learning lab coordinator
Instructional designer
Learning applications (apps) designer
Virtual reality specialist
Flipped classroom developer
Web instructor
Online teacher, mentor or trainer
Computer mediated learning metrics manager
Distance learning director
Educational software consultant
Highlight different fields (ex.: Education; Business; Health, Military, etc.)
Education
Other fields that apply to the career of a Educational Technologies might be business (HR, corporate trainer, consultant, and project manager).
How much do Educational Technologists earn?
As of Jan 27, 2022, the average annual pay for the Educational Technology jobs category in Texas is $48,980 an year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.55 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,082/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $111,641 and as low as $19,050, the majority of salaries within the Educational Technology jobs category currently range between $31,454 (25th percentile) to $69,997 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $92,148 annually in Texas.
What key historical, technological, and pedagogical developments (including past and current theory) contributed to the development of the field?
-ZipRecruiter
Does the field have standards?
The standards of this field are hold very high, as they are dealing with the development and implementation of courses. Some institutions offer paid training for someone holding the title of Educational technologist in their company. Most employees are required to hold a certain amount of certificates. One great example of this is called "Quality Matters". There are some steps taken to certify someone holding an instructional designer position. Quality matters will first train and empower the ID, then they will provide guidance in the development of the course, at the end they will certify the quality of the course created. This will assure that the standard of the creation and development of the material will be following the proper rubric.
The International Standards for Technology in Education (ITSE) is another organization that serves educators to withhold standards for students, teachers and administrators in education technology.
-Zook, C. (2017)
What impact do they have on the quality of the graduates and professionals in the field?
Graduates of an educational technology program are taught these standards to gain opportunities in the workforce and have competitive qualities that stand out when entering the job market. These standards ensure educational technology professionals uphold them and apply them in their place of work; to apply them in their school districts, colleges, universities, education programs and projects. This will also ensure the same quality of standards are always upheld for future generations of graduates and students.