What Careers are in Instructional Technology?

Instructional TechnologyThere are many interesting careers in Instructional Technology awaiting students who want to enjoy the best of both the IT and education fields. Below introduces some of the most common careers that are available in instructional technology.

What is Instructional Technology?

Instructional Technology is a discipline that strives to improve the quality and accessibility of the learning experience, according to the Instructional Technology Council. This is accomplished through increasing instructional efficiency and effectiveness within technology-based learning platforms. For example, instructional technology assesses student characteristics, learning processes, curriculum designs and learning theories in order to create superior instructional designs and experiences. Part of this process involves selecting appropriate delivery systems and techniques that will maximize students’ academic progress while minimizing learning obstacles. Instructional technology helps teachers manage change and implement innovative learning solutions.

Instructional Designer

One of the most popular careers in instructional technology is an instructional designer. These professionals design online learning and performance solutions to meet the clients’ needs. For example, this may include designing online simulations, self-paced learning modules and online classes that are either synchronous or asynchronous. As part of this, they must design certification evaluations that test the learners’ comprehension of key skills and knowledge. Therefore, they must know how to maintain performance support systems and promote collaborative learning experiences. In order to accomplish these tasks, they must conduct careful evaluations that clearly identify learning goals, target audiences, knowledge gaps, performance issues and technology limitations. Their job tasks include writing instructional materials, such as scripts and quizzes, and developing learning modules, such as adding audio and video materials. Instructional designers will be expected to have a bachelor’s degree in education or instructional technology with a few years of relevant job experience. They must possess advanced instructional communication skills. Familiarity with graphic design and video editing is preferred.

Technical Instructional Designer

Technical instructional designers work with different business professionals to identify training needs and create appropriate learning solutions. These include self-guided and instructor-led training platforms that use. Technical instructional designers must know how to create learning activities that are engaging, challenging and enjoyable. However, all instructional information must help students reach the learning objectives. Additionally, they must incorporate client task lists into the learning objectives. Part of their regular duties include developing and maintaining virtual classrooms and self-paced training content through continual updates. Technical instructional designers participate in team meetings, support technology integration and promote process improvements. Technical instructional designers usually work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environments that require high quality and creativity. Senior technical instructional designers work with complex projects that involve technical content, strategic planning and demanding stakeholders.

Educational Technologist

Educational technologists design training materials, develop instructional techniques and support learning management processes. They are responsible to instruct staff how to use different technologies, monitor learning management and achieve online objectives. Therefore, they must have excellent teaching and mentoring skills because they often hold training workshops for staff. Educational technologists are expected to be experts in e-learning, instructional design and technology support. They help manage the internal distance education platform and the learning management system (LMS). Educational technologists help develop and implement instructional design and technology policies and procedures. Therefore, they must apply their excellent administrative and organizational skills to conducting consultations and managing short-term projects with staff and IT professionals. Educational technologists are the liaison between staff and management.

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Going forward, there will be many more distinct careers in Instructional Technology become available as businesses and education organizations integrate new technology platforms and systems into their programs.