Instructional technology is a field that uses technology for educational purposes. There are instructional technology jobs in both traditional educational settings and other professional settings such as health care and business. Some examples of the types of these jobs include installation and maintenance of hardware and software, instructing others in the use of technology, developing educational courses that use technology components, and designing educational software and multimedia technologies.
There are many different types of instructional technology jobs in educational settings. Technology occupies an increasingly important place in the modern classroom, both as a teaching aid and as a vital topic students must learn about to function in society as adults. In fact, with the growing availability of online classes and virtual education students are relying on technology more than ever.
One of the types of instructional technology jobs, sometimes called a technology resource instructor, is teaching students about technology and how to use it, equipping students with generalized computer skills. A related job would be technical support, which involves installing and maintaining school computer systems and networks, as well as assisting both students and teachers in using them to their full potential. In addition to computer systems, a person in technological support would be involved with other multimedia technologies used in schools, for example interactive whiteboards or smart boards. In many educational settings there are sizable instructional technology departments with administrative positions available for experienced professionals as well.
Other types of instructional technology jobs involve working with students with physical or mental difficulties and developing assistive technologies for them. These assistive technologies are often specialized software and hardware that help students in the classroom, allowing them to learn to the best of their abilities. An example of assistive technology would be a student with physical impairments using a laptop computer with voice recognition programming for note taking.
There are several different instructional technology jobs that offer employment opportunities in other settings as well as education. One of these would be developing educational courses that use technology. Many of these courses are used for continuing education purposes in professional settings such as health care and business. There are also opportunities to work in industrial settings educating employees about new technologies, as well as work in the military where education of personnel is continuous and vitally important for the safety of the personnel and the country they protect.
Instructional technology jobs are also found in the technology industry itself. There are jobs designing and developing educational software products for a variety of uses. Another area is in the design and development of new hardware products that have educational purposes, like interactive whiteboards, as well as improving existing designs to make them more functional.
