This article will provide you with every detail of how to become an educational technology specialist

An educational technology specialist (ETS) is someone who promotes the use of appropriate technology in the classroom. Educational technology specialist (ETS) assists schools in using technology to make classroom learning more engaging without compromising the learning environment’s integrity. Educational technology specialists are sometimes known as instructional technology specialists in some academic environments.

A bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education is generally required for educational technology specialist (ETS). Many companies prefer applicants with at least a few years of experience in an academic context, particularly in a position where you were responsible for technology.

What type of education is required of an educational technology specialist?

A few educational criteria must be met before you can start working as an instructional technology professional. After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to pursue a master’s degree in education. Many students pursue a Master’s Degree in Learning and Technology (M.Ed.) to further their expertise in areas such as design analysis, research foundations, and literature evaluation. From the start, each of these skills will assist you in fulfilling the position of educational technology specialist (ETS). Others decide to get a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design. This curriculum assists kids in developing basic skills that will help them succeed. You’ll improve your measurement and evaluation skills, as well as your technique and instructional design analyses.

What Credentials Do Educational Technology Specialists Require?

You’ll benefit from numerous key abilities as an ed-tech specialist daily. Your well-developed skill set will assist link kids with technology resources that will help them study, whether it’s talking with school personnel or troubleshooting software programs. An ed-tech specialist requires a specific set of skills.

Proficiency in technology: The capacity to use all required technology, such as computers, tablets, phones, online educational materials, digital platforms, and other gadgets, to their maximum potential.

Management of the classroom: The capacity to properly manage all parts of a classroom’s space while stylishly using technology without producing an overpowering setting.

Support for users: The capacity to provide adequate support to each teacher or school administration who uses technology regularly.

Interpersonal communication: The capacity to communicate with IT staff, school officials, and educators to identify and meet their technical requirements.

Speaking in front of an audience: The capacity to address groups of people with confidence on the installation and troubleshooting of educational technology (ed-tech).

Problem-solving: The capacity to identify and resolve difficulties that may endanger educational technology‘s effectiveness.

Research: The capacity to recognize emerging technologies that may be beneficial to a present educational setting.

Organization: The capacity to divide jobs into priority levels and provide adequate time to complete each one comfortably.

These and other abilities will aid you in carrying out all of your work responsibilities daily, eventually improving the quality of student learning at an educational institution.

How to Become a Technology Specialist in Education

A master’s degree, ideally in  ed-tech or a related field, is generally required to work as an instructional technology expert. Many institutions also seek certification in instructional technology or IT certifications linked to the sector. A teaching credential may be required depending on the company and employment scope. In jurisdictions like Texas, New York, and Georgia, where educational technology (ed-tech) certification or endorsement is available, the ed-tech program should be approved by the state board of education. The following are the typical stages to becoming an ed-tech specialist in a public school:

• A bachelor’s degree in educational technology (ed-tech), education, or a related field is required.
• Complete an internship in a school.
• Take your state’s teacher certification exams and, if necessary, obtain a license.
• A master’s, specialist, or doctorate in educational technology (ed-tech), instructional technology, or a related field like curriculum and instruction is required.
• Take your state’s educational/instructional technology licensure test and, if required, acquire an endorsement.
• Apply for opportunities as an educational technology specialist.

Most ed-tech programs will include coursework in curriculum assessment and development, classroom learning growth, data interpretation, and leadership development. The prospective ed-tech specialist will learn how to acquire and apply developing classroom technologies across many media through courses like these and supplementary training.