Education Technology Specialist
March 29, 2024
Updated May 12, 2025
16 minute read
An Education Technology Specialist, often called an EdTech Specialist or Instructional Technology Specialist, serves as a vital bridge between education and technology. Their primary role is to facilitate the purposeful implementation of technology within academic settings, empowering educators to use digital resources effectively to enhance learning experiences and improve student outcomes. This career is exciting because it allows individuals to be at the forefront of educational innovation, constantly exploring and integrating new tools to make learning more engaging and effective. Furthermore, the ability to directly impact how students learn and teachers teach can be incredibly rewarding.
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Find a path to becoming a Education Technology Specialist. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Education Technology Specialist.
Papert, a pioneer in the field of educational software, focuses on the ways in which children learn through playing with computers. In this book, Papert discusses the role of computers in education, the importance of hands-on learning, and the ways in which computers can help to develop children's creativity and problem-solving skills.
Addresses the impact of trauma on student behavior and provides strategies for creating a trauma-informed classroom environment. It helps educators understand the root causes of challenging behaviors and implement supportive management techniques. This critical topic in contemporary education.
Is crucial for understanding how culture impacts learning and behavior in the classroom. It provides neuroscience-based strategies for creating a culturally responsive learning environment that promotes engagement and reduces behavioral challenges. It is highly relevant for contemporary classrooms with diverse student populations.
Explores the use of restorative practices in the classroom as an alternative to traditional punitive discipline. It focuses on building relationships, repairing harm, and fostering a sense of community to address behavioral issues. This key resource for understanding contemporary approaches to classroom management.
Provides a framework for creating and sustaining successful growth through innovation. It is relevant for educational leaders who are interested in developing a long-term strategy for innovation in their schools or districts.
Discusses the history of educational software, the research on how it can be used effectively, and the challenges and opportunities for the future.
Provides practical guidance for educational leaders who are interested in leading innovation in their schools or districts. It covers topics such as building a vision for change, creating a culture of innovation, and managing the challenges of implementation.
Conscious Discipline social-emotional learning program that provides teachers with strategies to manage their own emotional responses and teach children self-regulation skills. It focuses on creating a safe and connected classroom environment. This approach is particularly relevant for early childhood and elementary settings.
Offers a collection of concrete, observable techniques used by successful teachers to maximize student engagement and manage behavior. While not solely focused on management, it provides actionable strategies that directly contribute to a well-managed classroom by fostering a positive and productive learning environment. The latest edition incorporates insights from cognitive science and culturally responsive teaching.
Introduces the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, which helps educators work with students with challenging behaviors by identifying the unmet needs driving their behavior. It's a valuable resource for understanding and supporting students who struggle with traditional management approaches.
Synthesizes research on effective classroom management strategies, providing teachers with evidence-based techniques. It covers topics such as rules and procedures, disciplinary interventions, and teacher-student relationships. It's a valuable resource for understanding the research behind successful management practices.
This resource provides a framework for managing student behavior using the Love and Logic philosophy, emphasizing shared control and consequences delivered with empathy. It helps teachers address challenging behaviors while fostering positive relationships. This approach is popular among educators for its practical strategies.
Outlines the Responsive Classroom approach, which emphasizes the importance of a strong classroom community, social-emotional learning, and engaging instruction as keys to preventing discipline problems. It provides practical strategies for creating a positive and productive classroom environment.
Is considered to be the first-ever published on the subject of educational software and covers a wide range of topics related to the theoretical foundations of educational software as well as how educational software was developed and used in the past.
Provides a comprehensive overview of educational technology. It covers topics such as the history of educational technology, the different types of educational technology, and the benefits and challenges of using educational technology.
Explores the habits and mindsets of effective teachers, many of which directly influence classroom management. It focuses on building positive relationships, having high expectations, and reacting constructively to challenging situations. The third edition includes updated insights on creating an engaging learning environment.
Emphasizes the foundational role of positive teacher-student relationships in effective classroom management. It provides strategies for building rapport and trust with students, which can proactively reduce behavioral issues. It reinforces the idea that relationships are key to a well-managed classroom.
Explores the challenges that large organizations face when they try to innovate. It is relevant for educational leaders who are interested in creating and sustaining a culture of innovation within their schools or districts.
Explores the mindset that is necessary for innovation. It is relevant for educators who are interested in developing their own innovative thinking and practices.
Provides real-world examples of educational innovation from visionary educators. It is relevant for educators who are interested in learning from the experiences of others and implementing innovative practices in their own classrooms.
Explores the five skills that disruptive innovators need to succeed. It is relevant for educational leaders who are interested in developing their own innovative thinking and practices.
This comprehensive guide covers the full range of Canvas features, including course design, communication tools, and assessment options. It also offers tips and best practices for using Canvas effectively.
Fredric Jones's work focuses on practical strategies for managing classroom behavior, including proximity control, body language, and incentive systems. offers detailed techniques for minimizing lost instruction time due to off-task behavior. It is considered a classic in classroom management literature.
Provides a practical guide to educational innovation for teachers and school leaders. It covers topics such as creating a culture of innovation, developing innovative ideas, and implementing innovative practices.
Provides a practical guide to using the Lean Startup methodology to develop and launch new products and services. It is relevant for educational entrepreneurs who are interested in starting their own educational ventures.
Discusses the use of artificial intelligence in education. It covers topics such as the design of intelligent tutoring systems, the use of artificial intelligence to assess student learning, and the future of artificial intelligence in education.
Challenges traditional disciplinary approaches that focus on control and compliance. Alfie Kohn argues for creating caring classroom communities where students are empowered and intrinsically motivated. It's a valuable read for educators looking to move beyond conventional management techniques and foster a more student-centered environment. It offers a different perspective on classroom management.
Provides insights into the creative process and how it can be used to generate innovative ideas. It is relevant for educators who are interested in developing their own creativity and innovative thinking.
Introduces the backward design framework for curriculum planning, which can indirectly impact classroom management by creating more engaging and purposeful learning experiences. Well-designed lessons can lead to fewer behavioral issues. It's more of a foundational text for instructional design that supports effective management.
Is aimed at instructional coaches and administrators but offers valuable insights for teachers on improving their practice, including classroom management. It emphasizes reflective practice and growth mindset, which are essential for refining management skills over time. It's more of a professional development resource.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/3wan9h/education
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