5 Great Careers in Educational Technology

5 Fast-Growing Educational Technology Jobs

Educational Technologist
Educational Software Programmer
Course Designer
Training Materials Designer
Media Specialist

Educational technology has swept rapidly across the world. In American schools, computer labs are the norm; in classrooms from India to Brazil, kids are using tablets to learn and explore. For those with a passion for changing the world through technology, educational technology can be a rewarding, exciting, and lucrative career.

Educational technology has emerged as a unique discipline, merging humanities and technology to not only create unique learning experience, but to increase educational accessibility to individuals all over the world – abled and disabled, according to Forbes. Here are five great careers in educational technology.

1. Educational Technologist

Through a seamless blending of skills and knowledge of educational methods and technological processes and tools, educational technologists develop, test, and implement a variety of tech-based learning tools in schools and classrooms. In addition, educational technologists train teachers in the use of tech tools and how to incorporate them to best advantage in their everyday lesson plans and established scholastic curricula.

Educational technology degrees are becoming more common, and educational technologists are found in every arena of education from schools to testing labs. ETs earn an average of $62,000 per year.

2. Educational Software Programmer

Educational software programmers merge an in-depth knowledge of programming and interface design with knowledge of educational practice and core curriculums to develop digital software programs usable both in and out of the classroom.

Educational software programmers develop software that is used in all academic settings from preschool to university, as well as at-home educational software designed to enhance or improve specific academic skills, like reading and mathematics. Educational software spans a wide range of styles and topics, from reading games for toddlers to step-by-step coding courses for middle schoolers. Educational software programmers earn an average of $92,00 per year.

3. Course Designer

Course designers incorporate user interface and user experience design with educational knowledge to create topic-specific courses on technological platforms. A fantastic option for techies with a passion for visual design and solid UI experience, course designers work in tandem with other educational tech professionals to create courses in all arenas and for all ages. Course designers often work for educational software and game companies, and earn, on average, $78,000 per year.

4. Training Materials Designer

Working on the corporate side of educational technology, training materials designers work to create effective and easy-to-use technological training programs for corporations, think tanks, and even successful small businesses. Training materials designers combine an educational background and thorough knowledge of learning styles and tools with solid user interface knowledge to create training programs for a wide variety of platforms, and earn an average of $61,000 per year.

5. Media Specialist

Media specialists don’t just work in schools, they are frequently found in libraries, database warehouses, and other collections of media that provide education to not only students but the larger community. Media specialists maintain and update collections based on demand and community need, provide instruction on information and overall literacy, and make recommendations to students and collection patrons based on learning styles and topic for the best media sources available to them. Media specialists earn on average $48,000 per year.

Each of these educational technology careers represent a great diversity of interests and passions, all of which are different paths to contributing to education as a collective discipline.