Today’s students are digital learners, seekers of knowledge and explorers. As educators of these students, teaching professionals must be pioneers, ready to take on this journey of knowledge and exploration.
An online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Applied Digital Learning from Lamar University provides educators with the tools they need to be innovative pioneers of technology on their campus and at the district level. Not only will an educator be prepared for teaching jobs in the classroom, but they will also be prepared for a variety of careers in education, or even in the corporate world.
What Types of Careers Are Options for Master’s in Applied Digital Learning Grads?
The changing state of education requires professional educators to adjust and change with their students. The need for advancing educators’ digital competencies became abundantly clear as education shifted largely to remote, digital models during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the practices, digital curricula, learning management systems, educational apps and other educational technology tools adopted during the pandemic will likely remain part of the modern, tech-integrated classroom.
The M.Ed. in Applied Digital Learning online program will prepare teachers to facilitate this change. The digital learning leader will be prepared to help their school or company with the holistic integration of digital learning technologies while leading other teachers and staff into current-century, post-pandemic education and programs. Below are three career paths you can pursue with a master’s in applied digital learning:
- A technology integration specialist will be on the front line of change with their teachers and campuses. The specialist will work one-on-one with teachers in the classroom, integrating digital learning into their lessons and assessments to meet the varied styles of learners. According to ZipRecruiter data from May 2023, technology integration specialists make an average annual salary of $54,502.
- A school or district technology director will be the main decision-maker at the administrative level, making informed decisions based on data provided from those at the campus and district levels. They will seek to empower others in changing their district learning environments into 21st-century educational programs through overseeing technology selection, digital curriculum development, training and integration. ZipRecruiter reports that the average annual salary for school technology directors is $82,597, as of March 2023.
- Digital learning strategists, specialists, and training and development managers help corporations incorporate and use digital learning tools. Companies are investing heavily in digital learning and professional development to build employees’ skills. With a digital learning degree, you can be a part of the team that helps to determine corporations’ learning needs and how to meet them.
As a digital learning strategist or specialist, you may conduct a needs analysis, evaluate learning platform solutions, facilitate communication with employees, implement a program rollout and help to design and evaluate curriculum. According to ZipRecruiter data as of May 2023, digital learning specialists make an average annual salary of $61,683. Training and development managers may oversee the design and implementation of digital skill development programs while managing the digital learning team. Training and development managers made a median annual salary of $120,130 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The M.Ed. in Applied Digital Learning is designed as a master’s degree for educators who are passionate about change and innovation and want to bring that to their campus, district or company. They must be interested in integrating digital learning environments with innovative practices and digital resources. The journey will not be an individual one, rather one about moving yourself and others to change.
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Applied Digital Learning program.