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EdTech

Education technology is a broad and evolving field. It involves the study of using technology in education as well as practices of implementing technology and technological solutions in the classroom at all levels of education. EdTech may also be called Instructional Design, particularly in Higher Education.

A career in EdTech can combine a student’s interest and capabilities in technology–from software development to design to training–with the impact of improving the way we teach and learn. Technology has the potential to scale education for those without access to traditional classrooms and is, therefore, an important tool to understand and effectively implement to affect social impact.

EdTech spans sectors, from government to business to nonprofits, as well as functional roles, from sales to software development to teaching/training. As a starting point to discovering this field, consider all the ways that your own education has interacted with technology and technological solutions (and problems).

    • What types of technology were available in your schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels?
    • Was that similar or different to other schools in your area, and why do you think that is?
    • How did teachers engage with the technology and how do you think they learned to use it?
    • Have you ever taken any courses or training online?
    • How did this experience differ from a traditional classroom?
    • Consider the software programs we use at Williams, such as GLOW, Handshake, PeopleGrove (EphLink), etc. These are all EdTech companies. How do you think they could be leveraged more effectively?
    • If you were teaching, what technology do you think would be most helpful to have in the classroom?

EdTech will continue to evolve and all careers in education will touch this field at some point, such as teaching with technology in the classroom. For those exploring education outside the traditional classroom setting, consider how using technology changes the way you interact with students and if that allows for better alignment with your skills and values–such as flexibility in scheduling or type of educational institution.

Entry-level jobs along functional roles in EdTech also include software development, curriculum development, user experience, sales and marketing, and training (of the technology).