I'm thinking that i want to be a Instructional Technology Specialist as my career, what shoud i major in?

Question

Hi i'm a junior in high school and i'm trying to find out what i want to do with my life. Right now, i'm thinking that i would really like to be a Instructional Technology Specialist. I want to do something in the field of engineering, teaching, and being around people. Does anyone have any information regarding what i should do, how much the pay is, or anything about being a Instructional Technology Specialist? Thanks

i'd especially like to know what i should major in to become a Instructional Technology Specialist or what colleges would be good for this field.

Answer 1

To be an Instrucational Technology Specialist or Instructional Technologist you have to be a licensed teacher in most, if not all, states. You can major in just about anything, but you have to have your teaching certificate and then a masters degree-in most cases. The masters is where you get the IT part of the deal.

I am currectly working on my IT Masters right now. I have an undergrad degree in Information Systems Management and Computer Studies. Here is the information for my program:

Instructional Technology Leadership Core Requirements (27 credits; 36 credits for M.Ed.)
This program prepares K-12 teachers and other school personnel in learning theories, instructional design and development, assessment and evaluation, emerging and assistive technologies, computer-based learning, and the planning and assessment of technology tools across the school system. This program is designed for those interested in becoming technology leaders within their school systems, schools, or classrooms. The competencies addressed in this program reflect the International Society for Technology in Education’s National Education Technology Standards for teachers and administrators (ISTE/NETS) and the Virginia Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP).

Required Courses (27 credits)
ITEC 501 Instructional Technologies (3 credits)
ITEC 510 Foundations and Theories of Instructional Technology (3 credits)
ITEC 520 Assessment and Evaluation in Instructional Technology (3 credits)
ITEC 521 Information Literacy in the Digital Age (3 credits)
ITEC 522 Distance Learning and Collaboration (3 credits)
ITEC 530 Instructional Design (3 credits)
ITEC 531 Emerging and Assistive Technologies (3 credits)
ITEC 546 Administration and Management of Technology Initiatives in Education (3 credits)
ITEC 547 Special Topics in Instructional Technology (3 credits)

Note: A Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology Leadership is offered. Information is available in the Education Certificates section.

The pay for an IT is better than it is for a regular teacher in most states. It is a great position because you get to work with students and technology.

Here is a link to an interesting article you might like to read...
http://it.coe.uga.edu/~lrieber/pdean/
It is called The Proper Way to Become an Instructional Technologist. (Keep in mind that things don't always work this way now.)

If there is an IT at your school, you might want to approach them about your desire to work in this field.

Good luck! Please feel free to contact me if you wan more info. I have a lot of resources I can share with you.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
You asked about a major. As far as wanting to be an IT and doing something in the teaching field, you can major in anything and any grade level. Personally, I am finding that my majors in IFSM (Information Systems Management) and Computers Studies are a huge help. I understand how the technologies work and how to put them into use. I am also not afraid to try new things. Some of my peers are Art, Science, History Majors-you name it-they are doing great in the program but seem to struggle more with the assignments at first.

So, really, it doesn't matter what you major it-for IT in teaching.

Answer 2

You do not need a teachers certification to be an instructional technology specialist, unless you want to work in K-12 education. You can work in corporate, higher education, and other environments.

It depends on what you want to do with your instructional technology degree -- for instance, you mentioned teaching - do you want to use technology in a classroom setting and/or teach instructional technology?

There are many good schools for an instructional technology degree - check out Rochester Institute of Technology, Penn State, UGA, and Virginia Tech -- all have degrees within the field - the major may be called something different (Instructional Systems, Educational Technology, etc.) but curriculum is typically all the same. Usually, you'll need to go on to a masters if you really want to get ahead in the field.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The major will be in (teacher) education.
Some schools are integrating ITS into their education school curriculum and others offer ITS as an add-on course of study.
Many ITS courses can be taken entirely on line.
A Masters degree is something all teachers are expected to earn early in their careers. I would suggest a Masters in ITS.
Look at Penn State's Masters.
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/MasterinEducationalTechnology.shtml?cid=0506_GOOTB1818_0606

Two other programs:
http://www.clarion.edu/edu-humn/itsc/courses.htm
http://www.temple.edu/education/pse/instr_learn.html

(edited:) I am an history researcher /writer who occasionally seeks the advice of a friend who is a tech specialist.

Answer 4

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