Complexities of the Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) Field

Many people are interested in learning more about careers in the instructional design and technology (IDT) field. However, finding information about careers in the field is challenging for a variety of reasons.
1. The field has many titles
  • Instructional Design and Technology (IDT)
  • Educational Technology (EdTech)
  • Instructional Systems Design (ISD)
  • ​Learning and Instructional Design Technology (LIDT)
  • Learning Experience Design (LXD)​ 
2. Career paths within the field cover a variety of job sectors
  • Corporate
  • Higher Education
  • K-12
  • Government
  • Museums
  • Non-profit
3. Disparate job titles are often used to describe similar positions in the field
  • Instructional designer
  • Educational technologist
  • Curriculum developer
  • E-learning specialist
  • Learning experience designer
  • Training and development professional
  • Performance improvement consultant
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​Yet despite these complexities, many people are attracted to IDT field and a large number of organizations are actively searching for qualified candidates with a background in instructional design and technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 300,000 instructional design specialist jobs in the United States in 2018. And that number is growing! According to a report by Burning Glass Technologies, there were 36% more new job postings for instructional designers in 2018 than in the previous year (Instructional Design: A Growing Field, 2019).

Sources:
Instructional Design: A Growing Field. (2019, September 19). St. Thomas University Online.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020, April 10). Training and Development Specialist. In Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Website Purpose
IDT Definitions and Theories

Purpose of EdTechCareers.org

The purpose of this website is to help you navigate through the complexities of the IDT field and learn all that it has to offer. Whether you're new to the field and want to see if it's the right fit for you or you're experienced in the field and want to find your next job opportunity, this website has something for you!

In true instructional-design fashion, we have established specific learning objectives for this website. Upon visiting the website, you will be able to:
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  1. Explore a variety of career paths in the IDT field.
  2. Identify specific positions and responsibilities of people working in the IDT field.
  3. Use resources to locate and apply for suitable jobs in the IDT field.​

Designing Effective Learning Experiences

For more information about IDT concepts, theories, domains, and models to help you create effective learning experiences, visit InstructionalDesign.org, a resource by Richard Culatta and Greg Kearsley.