Instructional technologists are professionals who support and develop information technologies that enhance the teaching and learning experience at schools. These individuals must have solid communication skills as well as interpersonal skills for working with students and staff. A person who would like to become an instructional technologist needs to complete four years of training at an institution of higher learning. Earning a graduate school degree also will enhance his or her chances of being hired in this industry.
If you seek to become an instructional technologist, you should complete a bachelor’s degree in this area of study, which typically takes four years. As part of the college admissions process, you need to complete your desired school’s enrollment application as well as submit your recent standardized exam scores. You also must turn in your high school transcript along with your high school diploma or the equivalent certification.
A wide variety of educational courses are part of a college curriculum in this industry. You need to study the various learning options available, such as traditional classroom training as well as online teaching programs. This is important if you aim to become an instructional technologist because you must understand how to create training plans that address different types of audiences. Classes on how people learn will help you to meet the needs of individual pupils when developing teaching methods as well.
Design classes also constitute a training program in this field. Courses cover web design because a person who wants to become an instructional technologist must understand how to create websites that attract learners and are simple to use. You need to study standards for incorporating graphics into a webpage and learn how to use website languages. In addition, curriculum design courses teach you how to include technological tools and resources in a detailed course of study and how to create training plans that meet students’ educational objectives.
Getting hands-on experience in this career area is necessary to succeed in the job market, and earning a graduate school degree further increases your job opportunities. Colleges and universities should be willing to let you serve as an intern at their sites. During an internship, you must practice introducing computer software and hardware to be used for teaching purposes and train faculty members and students on these tools through workshops. You also need to consider completing a two-year master’s degree if you desire to become an instructional technologist because employers often prefer a job candidate who has an advanced degree.
