What do you do if your interviewers want to see your knowledge of educational technology?

Educational Technology is all about studying the skills, so when interviewers wants to know, he is indirectly asking for skills you learnt while you are at your academics. Tell them what technology you learnt from your syllabus, that should be more than enough

Having moved from the IT industry to the education sector, I had an huge interest in Ed Tech tools. It was during the pandemic that this exploded into multiple arenas of Edtech. From the usage of video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Teams, Google Meet to gaming platforms like Kahoot, Blookit and many others. In addition, there were Canva, Excalidraw, Whiteboard, each platform for a different functionality. Also the use of LMS like Managebac, Toddle can also be expressed in the interview.

You can also demonstrate the many ways technology can facilitate the development of traditional, technological and information literacy. A good way to do this is to highlight how many research databases integrate Google and One drive to save articles, the read aloud feature of the database and how to get the definition of words inside of the articles retrieved. In addition, many of the databases also have a highlight and annotation feature to help students select the appropriate information needed for their research and write notes.

First understand one of the problems or challenge the company is facing. After that give an example of educational technology apply to this problem solving and emphasized the benefits

I'd be excited to share how integral Ed Tech is to modern teaching practices. At my kindergarten, we leverage the Ed Tech platform Toddle extensively. It serves as a hub for collaborative work between teachers and parents, facilitating seamless communication and sharing of resources. During the challenging times of the pandemic, Zoom played a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted learning experiences. Its features enabled us to conduct virtual classes, engage with students, and maintain a sense of connection despite physical distance. Embracing these tools not only enhanced our teaching methods but also empowered us to adapt to various learning environments effectively.

Even if a particular technology isn't part of their current stack, demonstrate how my experience translates. Emphasize my adaptability, problem-solving skills, and willingness to learn.

In my opinion, the most important thing here will be to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing Professional Development as the nature of educational technology is such that its an ever changing landscape. Keeping Certifications such as various Badges, Google, Apple, Microsoft and other relevant ones(Ambassador or educator programs for applications and software used at the school you're applying to) up to date and highlighting how you see these as a journey rather than looking at it as a 'I've got the badge now, all done' solution. Give concrete examples of how you've problem solved or had to look for a solution at your previous work/school and don't be afraid of sharing failures and what you learnt from these.

Perhaps like many disciplines, it is about the bigger picture. Not just providing examples of practical uses of EdTech but the strategy and most importantly, purpose behind it being implemented. Showing that the purpose has to be student first and what the tech can bring to our learners that would be impossible without it. It is such a huge area that highlighting the benefits to teachers along the way could also be beneficial and that their up-skilling is crucial to the students being able to tap in to its potential.

With the current disruptive technology scenario, one must keep oneself relevant in learning new pedagogy methods and tools. Spending 2% of your annual income on getting new training/learning will help sustain your career for a longer time.

I have recently completed a number of courses on educational technology. For example, I completed a training program with Edpuzzle about creating interactive video lessons. I applied this newly learnt skill with my students and they found these interactive videos really helpful.

I introduced a digital storytelling tool. Each student chose a stanza from the poem and created a short multimedia presentation, interpreting the text through images, voiceovers, and background music they felt represented the tone and mood of the stanza. Moreover, I utilized an online forum where students could post their interpretations and receive feedback from peers before presenting. This step was crucial as it fostered a collaborative learning environment and allowed students to refine their ideas based on constructive peer feedback.By integrating technology in a way that directly supported the learning objectives, students found relevance and personal connection demonstrating the power of well-aligned educational technology.

Demonstrate how tech tools... -Enhance learning outcomes -Improve student outcomes -Save districts time/money -How the tech aligns with pedagogical structures and frameworks that exist within the school/district

Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of the pedagogical principles underpinning the use of technology in education. It is important to discuss how technology use aligns with teaching strategies that promote student-centered learning and differentiated instruction. Candidates should explain how they select technologies that complement their teaching style and enrich the curriculum, rather than using technology for the sake of it. This demonstrates thoughtfulness regarding the role of technology in education and a focus on achieving positive student outcomes. By articulating these points, candidates showcase their intentionality in integrating technology effectively to enhance the learning experience for students.

When I want students to learn terminology I use gamification tools such as interactive crossword puzzles that students enjoy interacting with over and over.

Interviewers often present hypothetical scenarios or challenges to gauge a candidate's problem-solving abilities. In the context of educational technology, I would be prepared to discuss how I would approach issues such as adapting to new technologies, addressing accessibility concerns, or overcoming implementation barriers within an educational setting.

Sometimes the most challenging problems to solve are related to people. Change is difficult for people, so a big part of your role is helping them navigate the change. Specifically, you can highlight times where you've converted an objector into a champion, or found common ground between opposing business units.

To demonstrate my proficiency in Educational Technology, I might emphasize how our organization successfully adjusted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of exceptional remote education. We tailored LMS platforms, overhauled lecture recording and delivery methods, and enhanced areas like design, marketing, and delivery using technological solutions - all while decreasing expenses without sacrificing excellence. Project management tools such as Airtable and Wrike significantly facilitated communication among different departments and streamlined project monitoring. I can share examples of stimulating innovation, improving learning experiences, and promoting operational efficiency using technology.

In my educational technology experience, I've consistently demonstrated strong problem-solving skills. For example, during a virtual class, I calmly resolved software glitches by promptly coordinating with technical support. In another instance, when faced with hardware malfunctions during an online exam, I implemented a backup plan and collaborated with IT support for swift resolution. Additionally, to address this, I conducted thorough research, tested tools, and provided comprehensive training, ensuring a smooth transition. My ability to stay composed, troubleshoot effectively, and adapt to challenges highlights my resilience and resourcefulness, crucial traits for success in any educational technology role.

To showcase your problem-solving skills in an interview: Troubleshooting Experience: Share specific instances where you've successfully addressed technology-related challenges, such as software glitches or hardware malfunctions in educational settings. Adaptation Skills: Discuss how you've adapted to and integrated new technological tools into existing educational infrastructures, ensuring minimal disruption to the learning process. Resilience and Resourcefulness: Highlight your ability to stay calm and think critically under pressure to find effective solutions, demonstrating your reliability in managing and overcoming obstacles.

Identifying future trends is essential. The best options for doing so are joining professional bodies and attending webinars, talks, conferences, workshops, etc.

In the realm of educational technology, staying ahead means not just knowing current tools but also anticipating future trends. Concepts like adaptive learning, gamification, and artificial intelligence are reshaping education by personalizing learning, making it interactive, and offering automation and personalized feedback. Educators can prepare by adopting lifelong learning, staying updated through professional development, and adapting teaching methods to leverage these technologies effectively. Embracing these trends fosters critical skills in students and ensures readiness for an evolving digital world.

The future is unclear. Even when we can see clear trends such as data driven decisions, and the current AI rush. It's still important to ground ourselves in Pedagogy, not get carried away with the latest shiny gimmick/tool. Which I agree, in the field of EdTech, often happens. Again reflect on how you will stay up to date and keep your development at the forefront. Not just with EdTech but also with the latest research in Learning and Teaching. Maybe even more important for experienced and seasoned teachers, as so much of the new research has debunked or added context to concepts we used to believe were true about how children learn. Also, as mentioned by others, be confident to say you don't know, if you don't. Share how you will find out.

Deep Dive into the Company: Thoroughly research the company's values, mission, and current educational technology initiatives. Are they a school, a software company, a consultancy? What is their ideal customer? This will help tailor my responses.

Collaboration between journals, conferences, professors, researchers, and industry experts regarding sustainability in the research community is much appreciated in the digital era. More and more contributions in journal roles and conferences prove you are part of the professional team of the educational technology community. Sometimes, showing your cases to the interviewers is unnecessary, but online platforms, such as Linkedin, ResearchGate (RG), Academica.edu, ORCID, Google Scholar, etc., provide your expertise to the digital educational world. The best practice is to have reliable knowledge after graduation and be able to prove your expertise by receiving invitations to participate in reputable journals and conferences.

My great eye-opener and push into this field started in the pandemic when schools closed and the majority of us were not prepared for online education. This required(from me) a steep learning curve about software like Teams and how to keep learners engaged, particularly since they'd been given permission to not have their cameras on if they didn't feel comfortable about their background at home. It called for making my subject to be engaging in a whole new way.

To emphasize your commitment to continuous learning in an EdTech interview: Professional Engagement: Mention your involvement in professional networks or communities related to educational technology. Information Sources: Highlight the education-related news sources you follow regularly to stay informed on the latest trends and developments. Conferences and Events: Discuss your participation in relevant conferences and events that help you stay connected with industry advancements.

Learn about the school's or company's existing technology infrastructure and their educational philosophy. This will help tailor your responses to their specific needs and interests.

Show your results! How? With testimonials, comments and insights from your students. There is no real contribution unless you are able to reflect the learning performance.

Discuss three most commonly used technological platform in education. One for collaboration, second for inclusion in academic tasks and third for record management. Discuss which platform have you used in each of these spaces and evaluate the platform on the basis of your experience. Were you able to: * achieve improved collaboration? * create assignments that teaches skills to students to remain relevant and superior in the face of technology? * use student records to gain timely insights about your students and intervene accordingly? The above will give complete clarity about the quality of your engagement with technology, understanding of skills and how you have altered your teaching style and management accordingly.

Be prepared to discuss how technology can enhance learning outcomes, demonstrate familiarity with popular educational tools and platforms, and highlight any relevant experience you have integrating technology into teaching or training environments.

To showcase your knowledge of educational technology during interviews, consider creating an immersive video or an in-person experience. Use storytelling to highlight your professional journey, illustrating how you’ve integrated technology to transform learning environments. Focus on specific projects where you’ve employed EdTech tools to enhance engagement and outcomes, making the narrative relatable by detailing challenges, actions, and results. An immersive presentation can vividly convey the effectiveness of your solutions and your vision for the future of education, setting you apart as a candidate who not only understands EdTech but also knows how to bring its potential to life.