Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an instructional technology specialist, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
Instructional technology specialists are responsible for designing, developing, and managing educational technology in schools and other learning environments. They use their knowledge of instructional design, learning theories, and technology to create engaging and effective learning experiences.
If you’re interested in becoming an instructional technology specialist, you’ll need to have strong communication and problem-solving skills. You’ll also need to be familiar with a range of educational technologies and be able to use them to create instructional materials.
An interview is one of the best ways for a potential employer to get to know you and assess your skills. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common instructional technology specialist interview questions and answers.
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the different types of instructional technology and how they can be used in a classroom. Use your answer to highlight any specific types of instructional technology that you are familiar with and explain why you feel these technologies are beneficial for students.
Example: “I am very familiar with the different types of instructional technology because I use them regularly in my current role as an instructional technology specialist. There are many different types of instructional technology, but some of my favorites include virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D printing. These technologies allow me to create engaging learning experiences for students by immersing them in new environments or allowing them to create their own projects.”
This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.
Example: “The most important skill I think an instructional technology specialist should have is problem-solving ability. This is because there are often many different issues that arise when working with computers and other technologies in schools. Having the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently is essential to ensuring students get the education they need. Another skill I feel is important is communication. As someone who works closely with teachers, I find it’s important to be able to communicate effectively so everyone understands what I’m saying.”
This question can help interviewers understand your process for integrating new technology into the classroom. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you plan and implement new technologies in the classroom.
Example: “I first assess what my students need most, then I research different types of technology that could support their learning. For example, when I was teaching middle school math, I noticed that many of my students were struggling with fractions. I researched several apps that could help them learn fractions more easily. After researching several options, I decided to integrate a fraction calculator app into our class curriculum.”
This question can help interviewers understand your experience with instructional technology and how you might approach the role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or highlight your skills in this area.
Example: “I have extensive experience developing online courses for my previous employer. I started by researching what types of courses were available and then developed an outline for each course. Next, I created a plan for creating the content and resources needed for each lesson. Finally, I worked with other team members to create the content and resources for each lesson.”
The interviewer may ask you a question like this to gauge your problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to use your critical thinking skills to solve problems with technology, such as computers or software programs.
Example: “At my last job, I was working on creating an online database for the school’s library when I encountered a problem with the search function. The search function wasn’t returning any results, so I began troubleshooting by checking the spelling of all the keywords in the search bar. After that didn’t work, I checked the indexing settings and found that they were set to ‘no.’ Once I changed them to ‘yes,’ the search function worked properly.”
This question helps the interviewer determine how you plan to get started in your new role. Your answer should include a list of tasks that show you are prepared for the job and eager to start working.
Example: “My first priority would be to learn more about the school’s current instructional technology system. I would also want to meet with teachers who use the system so I can understand their needs and concerns. Another important task would be to create an actionable plan for improving the existing system or implementing a new one. Finally, I would begin researching different software programs that could help improve student learning.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and solve problems. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue as quickly as possible while also maintaining a positive relationship with the teacher.
Example: “If a teacher complained that my digital content wasn’t working for them, I would first ask them to describe exactly what was happening. Then, I would look at their computer or device to see if there were any issues with it. If everything looked fine, I would then check the digital content to make sure it was compatible with the operating system they were using. Finally, if all of those things checked out, I would have the teacher contact me so we could troubleshoot together until we found a solution.”
This question can help interviewers determine how you respond to feedback and whether you’re open to making improvements. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you received criticism and used it to improve your skills or work performance.
Example: “I find that receiving constructive criticism is an important part of my growth as an instructional technology specialist. In the past, I’ve had several colleagues provide me with feedback on my presentations and lesson plans. While some of their suggestions were more challenging than others, I always took them seriously and implemented changes where appropriate. As a result, I feel like I have become a better presenter and teacher.”
Instructional technology specialists often work with teachers to help them integrate new technologies into their classrooms. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with a variety of people and helping them learn new things. Use your answer to explain that you enjoy helping others succeed. Explain how you helped other teachers in the past, if possible.
Example: “I’ve worked with several teachers on professional development initiatives throughout my career. I love teaching others about new technologies because it’s so rewarding to see someone use what they learned from me to improve their classroom. In my last role, I led monthly webinars for teachers where we discussed different ways to incorporate instructional technology into our lessons. Teachers were able to ask questions during the webinar and after.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should include a few details about what you do when planning digital content, such as researching topics or creating lesson plans.
Example: “I start by looking at our current digital resources and identifying any gaps in the curriculum. Then I research different topics that we don’t cover yet and create new lessons based on those topics. After that, I plan out the entire unit using my lesson plans and decide which technology tools I’ll use for each part of the unit.”
This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of instructional technology and how you can use it to benefit students. When answering this question, consider the specific needs of the school or district you’re interviewing for and discuss strategies that would help improve student engagement in their learning.
Example: “I recently worked with a high school where they wanted to increase student engagement during class. We decided to implement digital whiteboards into classrooms so teachers could write on them using a computer mouse. This allowed teachers to move around the classroom while still being able to interact with students and provide instruction. Students were also able to ask questions by writing on the board, which increased their engagement because they had more opportunities to actively participate.”
Video editing software is a common skill for instructional technology specialists to have. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re familiar with the software and can use it effectively. In your answer, explain which video editing software you’ve used in the past and what you like about it. If you haven’t worked with video editing software before, talk about other types of media editing software that you are familiar with.
Example: “I’ve used Adobe Premiere Pro for my entire career as an instructional technology specialist. I find it easy to use and understand how to create professional-looking videos using it. It’s also helpful that there are many online resources available to help me learn new things about the program.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their school. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and soft skills.
Example: “I have five years of experience as an instructional technology specialist in a public high school setting. I am passionate about helping teachers integrate technology into their lessons so students can develop 21st-century learning skills. In my previous position, I developed a professional development program where I trained teachers on using educational apps and software programs. This helped me gain valuable insight into what types of resources are most beneficial for student learning.”
This question can help interviewers understand your teaching style and preferences. It can also show them how you plan to use instructional technology in the classroom. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few methods that you enjoy using and why.
Example: “I prefer to teach digital content through project-based learning because I find it’s an effective way for students to learn complex concepts while still having fun. In my last role, I used project-based learning to create a coding website where students could practice their coding skills by creating their own websites. This helped students develop important coding skills while also giving them a chance to express themselves creatively.”
This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your role as an instructional technology specialist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify a skill that is important for the job and explain why you think it’s important.
Example: “I believe the most important skill for an instructional technology specialist to have is communication skills. This is because I use my communication skills every day when working with teachers and students. For example, if I’m helping a teacher implement a new digital learning tool into their classroom, I need to clearly communicate how to use the tool so they can effectively teach students using it. If I don’t communicate well, it could lead to confusion or mistakes.”
This question can help interviewers understand how often you learn new things and whether you’re likely to stay with the company for a long time. It’s important to show that you’re willing to keep learning and growing as an instructional technology specialist.
Example: “I try to attend at least one conference or seminar every year, where I can learn about the newest technologies in my field. I also subscribe to several online newsletters and blogs so I can read articles on the latest developments. I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge of instructional technology.”
An interviewer may ask this question to see how you apply your research skills to instructional technology. Use examples from past experiences where you researched a new technology and applied it in the classroom.
Example: “I would first do some online research on the technology, looking for any reviews or testimonials that other teachers have written about using the same technology. I also look at what professional organizations are saying about the technology, as they often provide unbiased information. After researching the technology, I would then try it out myself before introducing it to my students. This helps me determine if the technology is easy enough to use and understand by my students.”