Running head: IX562 UNIT 1 DISCUSSION 2

IX562 Unit 1 Discussion 2 Linda Staten Kaplan University

IX562 UNIT 1 DISCUSSION 2 Similarities and Differences of Instructional Technology Job Descriptions Description links: www.ehow.com/about_6462330_job-description-instructional... www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/...

What does it mean to be an instructional technologist at the K-12 level? Education is a very important part of human development and survival. We are living in an era that has a tremendous amount of change occurring in the paradigm of our educational system as it exists today. As the system changes, so must the people who make up the system. I compare this era in time, to the industrial revolution of our parents and grand- parents. I call it, the evolution of technological change. In this the twenty-first century, this change is having an effect on all aspects of human growth and development. It is causing our educational base to change with drastic notions and extreme motions. One of the persons who will play a significant role in the paradigm shift of our education structure is the instructional technologist. Their job duties and responsibilities will provide the glue, that keeps the system from being torn apart, as it goes through its tremendous metamorphic transition. In the two job descriptions that I listed above, the type and amount of job responsibilities were almost identical; the instructional technologist has many hats. On the educational spectrum, they are expected to be consultants with educators (teachers, administrators) as well as with students. From other perspectives (business and community leaders, etc.) they must also be able to provide guidance and information. They must have good communication skills; must be able to integrate technology into the design and delivery of a lesson; must be able to develop methods and strategies that assist and empower teachers technology capacity; must be able to improve the overall technology use in the school building; must have knowledge of maintaining

IX562 UNIT 1 DISCUSSION 2 device and soft/hardware upkeep and most of all have a clear understanding of how technology will and does impact student academic growth and development. The only items that I found to be slightly different in my two descriptions were the type

of education a person would need, how much money one would make and the percent of growth for the need of this position in the next years up to 2018. One description states that if you have a teaching degree and experience in using technology that you are qualified to handle the position. The other description states that a candidate should have a BS degree in a related field. One description says that a person would make on the average $58,780 as an annual salary; while the other says that a person could make as much as $93,250 annually, depending on where you are working and your responsibilities. As for the growth of this position in the work force one description says that there will be a 23% growth (Pearson, 2013, p. 1), while the other says the growth will be 20% (Teaching Career Center, 2013, p. 1). All of this is very interesting to me because I just moved into a position with these duties, even though my district has a different name for it. My findings were interesting but similar to what I had anticipated.

IX562 UNIT 1 DISCUSSION 2 References Pearson, C. (2013). Job Description of an Instructional Technologist. Retrieved from www.eHow.com

Teaching Career Center. (2013). Instructional Technology Specialist Job description & Career Outlook. Retrieved from www.teachercertificationdegrees.com