The presence of Information technology and communication technology in education has been strong over the last years, even more now, this 2020 facing the challenge of many at home.

A Step into Technology in Education

According to the BLS, the average salary per year for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019, higher than the median yearly wage for all jobs of $39,810. The median salary for computer support specialists, who provide help and advice to computer users, and organizations, was $54,760 in 2019. IT job growth is projected to increase by 10 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. And that is because organizations will need to upgrade their computer equipment and software.

In the case of education, the field of action for Educational or Instructional Technology Specialists is also spreading, especially in schools that are becoming more and more digitalized. One of the main reasons is the high motivation to evolve into and catch up with today's technological reality and a deep interest in data security. Another important fact is that presently they have more access to broadband. So now, more and ever, technology is used in the classroom and school administration. The median salary for an instructional coordinator in 2019 was $66,290, according to the BLS. 

Job Description

Educational Technology specialists need to be knowledgeable about instructional technology, classroom applications, and essential aspects of technology that can transform learning. They identify the most effective educational technology that fits the need of the school community. They may be required to give technical support as well. They should also be ready to collaborate in curriculum design, recurring to and creating new technologies for the classroom and the administration. They train teachers and school staff on the use of hardware and software. Consequently, they should be well-organized, have strong communication skills and clarity of thinking.

Some educational institutions may ask for programming or coding experience. If this is the case, candidates should have a strong foundation in Computer Science fundamentals.

How to Prepare for an Educational/Instructional Technology Job Interview

 The best way to prepare for an Educational/Instructional Technology job interview is by showing that:

1. You are an effective communicator, have good manners and patience. Teachers need to feel comfortable around you, or they will never invite you to the classroom.
2. You have a pedagogical stand on which you base your choices for the classroom.
3. You have a strong knowledge of technology to discern what tools are the best depending on the situation and the people involved.
4. You can contribute to school technological advancement.

Some tips for a successful interview

• If you need coding experience and you do not have it, you may want to contribute to open source projects for practice.
• When faced with a problem and do not come up with a solution, do not panic. Do your best to start with a brute force solution and, from there, sound out your interviewer for his/her criteria, and you will surely come up with some explanation.

Most important is to be honest, enthusiastic, and keep a positive attitude.

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