Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

This section of your textbook focuses on jobs in the profession of instructional design and technology: lessons and tips on how to get one and organizations that can support the job search and continued learning in the IDT field. Many of you already have a job in the field or in a related field; however, based on this week’s readings, you’ll reflect on where you are, where you want to go, and what you need to learn or do to get there.

Begin your post for this week with some background: what is your current job, what program are you enrolled in, what brings you to that program, and what do you expect when you graduate (change jobs? obtain a promotion?).

Next, describe the kind of work that you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrix^TM in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in Business and Industry” to help organize your thoughts. Do you most desire first, second, third, or fourth level service? Or would you rather design or develop instruction? What features of work are important to you? What economic sector do you want to work in?

Based on these intentions, explain what you need to learn. What skills and qualifications do you need? Will you obtain the skills you need in the required courses in your program? What electives might you need to take to help you develop skills specific to your aspirations?

Finally, what organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate? Do you think you would benefit from joining those organizations before graduating? Explain why or why not?

            I taught in the public school system for seven years teaching 5^th and 6^th graders math and science.  I am currently staying home with my young children and working on a masters in Educational Technology- Library Science.  I have always desired to be a librarian but never found the time until now to begin my masters.  I took my first library classes this summer and discovered the importance of collaboration among the teachers and the librarian.  The role of the school librarian is evolving just as the role of the instructional designer is evolving.  A librarian is no longer just the keeper of materials.  The library is now expected to collaborate with teachers and offer advice in the lesson planning process while striving to incorporate technology and other resources to enhance learning. 

As a teacher, I was in the first level of service.  I love planning lessons and striving to incorporate higher level thinking skills in real-world problem solving situations.  However, after obtaining a maters, I would like to move on to the second and third level of service within the school system.  My goal right now is to become a librarian but I know that an elementary school librarian position can be hard to come by.  I would also like to be an instructional facilitator for elementary and middle school math.  My hope is that my Educational Technology degree along with my specialization in math during undergrad will provide me with the skills to become an instructional facilitator.  Working in the second and third level of service will allow me to create lessons and train teachers on how to present lessons using technology to deepen student’s understanding and to create problem solving skills. 

            To become a school librarian, I will need organizational skills, knowledge of the curriculum, knowledge of a wide range of genres, and good interpersonal skills.  As a librarian, I will not only need to know about the books and materials in my library, but I will also need to be able to work with a wide range of teachers.  As mentioned in the text, I will need to understand where the teachers are coming from and how I can help them enhance their lessons through technology and resources in the library. 

            An instructional facilitator needs many of the same skills a librarian needs however, I will need a deeper understanding of the math curriculum.  An educational math class concerning how to teach math would be an excellent elective to support a math facilitator.

            Both a librarian and an instructional facilitator are expected to incorporate technology in lessons.  I consider both positions to be a form of instructional designer.  The benefits of joining the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education include research, scholarship, and collaboration.  The most important benefit to me is collaboration.  I believe through collaboration, great ideas are created.  This organization also offers an annual international conference and publishes a journal to keep the members up to date and informed.  

            The Association for Educational Communications and Technology would also be a beneficial organization.  This organization focuses on “the use of educational technology and its application to the learning process,” (p. 275).  Members include: professors, graduate students, librarians, and instructional developers.  It would be beneficial to join this organization as a graduation student since there are several divisions to join depending on one’s focus.  An annual convention, a job placement center, and the journals would all be beneficial both now as a graduate student and in the future as a librarian or instructional facilitator.