What career/job should I pursue?
February 2, 2010 9:26 AM Subscribe
I've been teaching for a few years, and want to use my experience in technology, professional development, and education into a new job or career path. Here are the specifics...
I've taught in a rural high-poverty school for a couple of years with good growth in test scores.
On the side, I have taught teachers how to integrate technology into instruction through conference sessions as well as a longer PD course. I am very familiar with Web 2.0 technologies, and often ask as the bridge between techies and "normal folks."
I am NOT an IT person. I don't network or repair computers.
I have taken some grad courses in program development and evaluation, but do not have a Master's degree.
I have an amateur's interest in psychology.
I'm willing to continue to teach kids, but I don't want that to be the primary focus of my new job.
These are the types of job titles I have come across so far:
digital textbook publishing
technology facilitator at a school
technology/sales trainer for a large educational technology company (which one, how do you get involved)
What are some others (they don't have to be in education)? Bonus points for links to job descriptions!
I've taught in a rural high-poverty school for a couple of years with good growth in test scores.
On the side, I have taught teachers how to integrate technology into instruction through conference sessions as well as a longer PD course. I am very familiar with Web 2.0 technologies, and often ask as the bridge between techies and "normal folks."
I am NOT an IT person. I don't network or repair computers.
I have taken some grad courses in program development and evaluation, but do not have a Master's degree.
I have an amateur's interest in psychology.
I'm willing to continue to teach kids, but I don't want that to be the primary focus of my new job.
These are the types of job titles I have come across so far:
digital textbook publishing
technology facilitator at a school
technology/sales trainer for a large educational technology company (which one, how do you get involved)
What are some others (they don't have to be in education)? Bonus points for links to job descriptions!
Response by poster: This is just the sort of answer I'm looking for! Anything that adds a new keyword to my Google searches would is great!
posted by jander03 at 9:39 AM on February 2, 2010
posted by jander03 at 9:39 AM on February 2, 2010
Best answer: We have Instructional Designers that sit down with instructors/teachers and develop online courses.
Sounds right up your ally. (and might be close to the instructional technologist that beyond_pink mentioned)
posted by royalsong at 9:46 AM on February 2, 2010
Sounds right up your ally. (and might be close to the instructional technologist that beyond_pink mentioned)
posted by royalsong at 9:46 AM on February 2, 2010
Best answer: the problem is a lot of tech related stuff in schools involves teaching and being the IT person.
IF you dont mind being a repair guy you can be an IT tech at a library. I am a network tech in a library and it does involve a lot of interaction with kids and making sure the computers and programs are kid accessable.
You can always be a comp teacher at a school. In my school district a lot of the Computer teachers are the people running the network also.
posted by majortom1981 at 12:06 PM on February 2, 2010
IF you dont mind being a repair guy you can be an IT tech at a library. I am a network tech in a library and it does involve a lot of interaction with kids and making sure the computers and programs are kid accessable.
You can always be a comp teacher at a school. In my school district a lot of the Computer teachers are the people running the network also.
posted by majortom1981 at 12:06 PM on February 2, 2010
Best answer: In colleges, Instructional Technologies aren't generally the techies. The ones I work with don't even have to install software, let alone take a computer apart. The more important aspect of the job as I've seen is having people skills, patience, and keeping on top of what tools are used and how. But in K-12, they might be (as majortom1981 suggested). I guess it would also depend on school size.
posted by beyond_pink at 4:54 PM on February 2, 2010
posted by beyond_pink at 4:54 PM on February 2, 2010
Response by poster: All of the responses so far are really helping me know what avenue to take. If you have any other (even off-the-wall) ideas, please continue to post.
posted by jander03 at 6:15 PM on February 2, 2010
posted by jander03 at 6:15 PM on February 2, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Sample job description from a quick Google search: http://www.maricopa.edu/hrweb/wagesal/ejobdescriptions/grade17/instrtech.htm
posted by beyond_pink at 9:36 AM on February 2, 2010