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?).

     Currently I am still in the process of searching for a teaching position. I graduated in 2011 with a BSIS in Interdisciplinary Studies and just my luck that was the semester of the budget cuts to education.  I decided to immediately start working on getting a Masters Degree in Elementary Education so I could continue my education.  I believe that educational technology is very important in the classroom so I have been taking ETEC classes for my electives.  I had thought about changing my major but I had already used too many of the hours allowed to change so I will stay with elementary education and continue building on my knowledge of educational technology. When I graduate I am hoping that having a masters degree will help me have greater chances of finding and getting hired for a teaching position. I am not sure what other options I have in using a teaching degree in other job markets.

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 WorkMatrixTM 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?

     Using the WorkMatrix, I clearly see myself happy with first-level service position of teaching at the elementary level. That could change in the future but currently that is my career choice and what I would like to do. During my student teaching I found that I love teaching and working with children. I will continue to research and learn different educational technologies that I can use in the classroom.  Since I am finishing up the classes left for my degree plan I have taken the required courses.  I have chose to take ETEC classes as my electives to prepare myself to be more efficient with technology in the classroom. 

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?

     Based on these intentions I need to continue learning the skills I need to teach children at the best of my ability. I want to continue to learn all I can in educational technology so I will be able to use that knowledge in my future classroom. Even though I am not seeking a position in the IDT field I did find a lot of useful information and questions to consider in the chapter readings. I realize that it is very important to learn as much as possible about the school district I will be interviewing for and not just brief knowledge. I can't assume all school districts will be similar. It is important that I research and prepare for the interview because "preparation is the key to success" (pg. 255). 

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?

     There are many professional organizations that would support  my continued learning after I graduate. One organization that would best support my continued learning is the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). After reading the information, exploring their website, and gaining more knowledge about the organization, I feel this organization would be a great choice for me. ISTE offers many professional learning opportunities. I am very interested in the webinars and the online courses  that are offered. "ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK–12 and teacher education" (ISTE). 

https://www.iste.org/

 

     During my search I found a second professional  organization that I feel would best support my continued learning after I graduate. The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) for K-12 education leaders who use technology strategically to improve teaching and learning (CoSN). The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is the country’s premier voice for K-12 education leaders who use technology strategically to improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and can help me up to date by offering  awareness of emerging technologies.  Both of these professional organizations will offer what I need to help my continued learning as a teacher who wants to use technology in the classroom and giving me the tools I need to stay up-to-date on emerging technologies.

http://www.cosn.org