You're applying for a job in Educational Technology. How do you explain your interest to an interviewer?

Educational technology is a wide-ranging term generally related to technology for teaching and learning. This type of technology can be supporting non tech-based subject areas, or it can be embedded into tech-based disciplines. If someone is teaching or learning with or through technology, most of this technology is considered educational technology.

I have pursued educational technology from the beginnings as a school superintendent because I felt strongly in 1996 that technology would change teaching and learning! And, it has!

Articulating your professional journey coherently in an educational technology interview is vital. Align your experiences with the role, emphasizing achievements and skills relevant to edtech. A clear narrative showcases your expertise and suitability for the position, making you a compelling candidate to interviewers in this specialized field.

Technology is an area that requires creativity and is a conduit for creativity. Steve Jobs said that computers are like bicycles for the mind; just as a bicycle allows the human body to travel at otherwise impossibly high speeds, computers and technology allow humans to achieve what would otherwise be impossible or unthinkable. This open and dynamic aspect of technology can be daunting, but it this world of possibility opened by technology, especially for teaching and learning, is exciting to me.

My technology skills have been self-taught with on the job training by creating many online graduate education courses from the ground up to creating educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and websites! In my graduate education computer classes, my students also developed these technology learning artifacts. During the pandemic a number of students told me that they were happy to have been in my classes and learned how to effectively create these learning tools.

As a child, I tinkered with electronics and my dad's Radio Shack TRS-80 computer. I remember many missed opportunities for survival on the Oregon Trail as an elementary student. As I moved into professional roles, I was able to position myself as a voice for the use of educational technology, helping to reduce friction in technology implementations for teachers and students. My work on advanced degrees and certifications allowed me to formalize the informal work, trial and error, and self-directed education that informed my expertise and knowledge.

Digging into this question is one of my favorites, whether I've been on the interviewee or interviewer end. Let your personality, passions, and curiosity shine in answering this question. Just mentioning that you read blog posts and listen to podcasts isn't going to excite me. Give me some concrete examples of something you've learned recently and how it impacted you, walk me through your process of evaluating and practicing what you're learning, etc. If you're seeking a role in edtech, continual learning and experimenting have to light you up—it's a field that moves too quickly not to. Show me that zeal for continual growth and development in your response to this question!

Be authentically you. Stand firm on who you are, your quirks, your jokes, your personality. Do NOT dumb yourself down to seem "less than" to get the job. Also, continue to understand that teaching and relationships are still the core of ed-tech because technology will evolve and the things that were once innovative, become obsolete. (See: Walkmans, VHS) However, how you provided dignity to others when they didn't understand ABC and how you consistently modeled excellence through teaching/learning will always outlast the tech trends.

Agreed! Best practice and skills and approaches support any innovation. Bring your whole self to the interview and share the rolls and skills you will bring to any problem/challenge/gap - AND - how those same skills support success/sharing of stories/and strategic planning!

I have written the text, The Technology-ready School Administrator, which kept my knowledge and skills relevant! Check it out on Amazon.

I am a serial seeker for new ways to do things or to improve things I have done in the past. There are so many online platforms for finding out about new trends and technology. In my field of education, there are educationally-focused blogs, podcasts, publications, and books related to educational technology and pedagogy. These provide real-life applications of ideas they describe. I also find it key to follow tech industry publications and the aforementioned mediums. For me, the best professional development is my human network, the people I have met through conference and professional development. These trusted friends and colleagues far and wide provide invaluable information for me through their sharing of ideas.

Utilizing the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model in an edtech interview provides structure and clarity. Describe the Situation or Task, highlight your specific Actions, and emphasize measurable Results. This approach effectively illustrates your problem-solving abilities, project management skills, and the impact of your contributions in educational technology.

Explique como a EdTech te fascina e como você acredita que ela pode transformar a educação. Compartilhe exemplos específicos de como a EdTech impactou positivamente sua vida ou a vida de outras pessoas.