Learning technologist

learning technology professional educational technologist instructional designer
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Career outlook for learning technologist

Average UK salary

£30,160

Currently employed in Scotland

12,300

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

Learning technologists find ways to improve the lives of teachers and students using tech. You might work in a traditional classroom or on distance or e-learning projects. 

Learning technologists are passionate about understanding the latest gadgets. They have an eye for spotting how tech from different fields might be useful in the classroom – for example, how AI can help with language learning. 

You’ll also be passionate about education. Technology can make learning more efficient and more fun. It also opens up learning to those who aren’t able to access it in traditional ways. For example, it can bring high-quality teaching to students with additional needs, or those who can’t go to school or college. Learning technologists have been at the heart of developments in this area. 

Some learning technologists are scientists who research and develop prototypes of new products. Others are creative and design new software. You can also be advice-focused – giving education departments the information they need to decide which technology to fund. All are vital in shaping education for future generations. 

What you’ll do

  • Research and champion the use of new technologies across your organisation 
  • Develop online learning resources such as quizzes and videos 
  • Present research results to decision-makers 
  • Develop prototypes for online learning environments 
  • Train students and teachers on how to use new technology 
  • Run or oversee focus groups with students and teachers and develop new resources to meet their needs 
  • Move offline resources onto digital systems 
  • Provide technical support to other schools, colleges or universities 

Working conditions

Hours

If you work in a school or university, you might get to work school hours. But you’ll probably also be expected to work some evenings or weekends during big projects.

Environment

You may be based in a school, college or university, or in a central education department. For e-learning, you’ll probably work in a regular office.

Travel

You will need to travel for meetings, training courses and conferences.

UK employment status

Full-time

37%

Part-time

32%

Self employed

31%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Working with technology
  • Creative
  • Designing
  • Innovative
  • Problem solving
  • Researching

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You can develop the necessary skills for this role through a variety of routes.

As Learning Technologists research or enable learning using appropriate technology, they come from a variety of different backgrounds.

Many will have gained degree level qualifications in subjects such as:

  • Web design
  • Bioscience 
  • Languages
  • Other degrees with a learning technology focus

They would be expected to have knowledge of learning and teaching theories and will often have experience of technology used within learning environments such as Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard.

You can gain skills and qualifications in the workplace through options such as:

Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) are chosen as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 but include hands-on learning at a local employer or college. They are the same level as a Higher.

You might want to consider an FA in areas such as:

  • Software Development

Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.

You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:

  • Digital applications
  • IT and Telecoms

Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni or college. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.

You might want to consider a GA in areas such as:

  • IT: Software development

Useful subjects

Many colleges and universities will have required subjects that you must have for entry. They might also highlight additional subjects that they would value. Look at individual institution websites for specific entry information.  

Useful subjects for this job would be:

  • English
  • Technology related subjects
     

Helpful to have

Not all employers list specific qualification requirements but they might ask for relevant experience, usually work based, that show a range of transferable skills.

It is important to keep up-to-date with evolving technology, both how it is used and how successful it is at embedding learning.

As there are frequent changes within the teaching and learning environment, it would also be beneficial to keep up to date with these.

Check out https://www.alt.ac.uk/ (Association for Learning Technology) for further information.

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