Online degrees in education technology

Educational technology careers include training specialists, course developers, corporate trainers, directors of distance education, instructional program managers and technology support professionals. The level of education required depends on the responsibilities of the position and can include associate and bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates, and master's and doctoral degrees.

Educational technology professionals are employed at organizations such as libraries, museums, community organizations and more. Educational technology jobs are even found in the military and government--or any place where educational programs need to be brought into the technology age. Professionals in this field usually have a respect and love for education as well as a keen understanding of how much technology can add to the educational experience.

Master of Education or Doctor of Education degrees offer a number of specializations, including instruction systems; instructional design and technology; educational leadership and technology; education, media design and technology; or many other similarly named programs, all seeking to integrate, evaluate and improve technology in education.

Educational professionals in other fields, such as teachers or administrators, may pursue certificates or online degrees in educational technology to enhance their current skill set or move into more technology-oriented roles.

The following June 2011 average salary data for educational technology careers is from job listing site, Indeed.com:

• Director of distance education: $65,000
• Training specialist: $67,000
• Educational technology support: $76,000
• Course developer: $87,000
• Corporate trainer: $88,000
• Educational software consultant: $89,000

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), instructional coordinators--a category that includes educational technologists--earned a mean annual salary of $61,270 in 2010 and are projected to see 23 percent job growth between 2008 and 2018. Of the 128,780 jobs in the field in 2010, 54,720 were in elementary and secondary schools, and 17,060 were in colleges, universities and professional schools.

In 2008 the federal government allocated $247.9 million to states to improve academic achievement through technology, assist students in crossing the digital divide, and integrate technology into teacher training and curriculum development.

In November of 2010, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, released the final version of the National Education Technology Plan--Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. "We must dramatically improve teaching and learning, personalize instruction, and ensure that the educational environments we offer to all students keep pace with the 21st century," Duncan said. Given this push for "learning powered by technology" from the federal government, individual states, business entities and educational institutions, degrees in educational technology can lead to exciting career prospects for students.

• Funding: The federal government allocated $247.9 million to states for educational technology
• Employment: Most instructional designers and technologists are employed at elementary and secondary schools
• Growth: Instructional coordinators are estimated to see 23 percent job growth from 2008 to 2018.