Computer instructors have varying emphases, from leading basic computer literacy classes to teaching advanced computer science principles.
They might teach in various educational settings, such as K-12 schools, community classrooms, or postsecondary education institutions.
Today, we will help you better understand the computer instructor position by covering all aspects of this profession. Are you interested in it?
Keep reading to see more!
Job Description
What is a Computer Instructor?
Computer instructors are usually responsible for teaching computing skills to learners of all levels, from elementary school to college.
Also, they can work as private computer tutors who help kids or adults develop their technology-related skills.
High school instructors may undertake additional responsibilities, such as communicating with parents or students during free time.
Career and technical instructors specializing in computer skills can prepare learners for specific technical jobs. They may teach learners about a particular operating system or computer program.
Post-secondary instructors in the computer science field may also be required to be responsible for conducting original research and overseeing the work of graduate students.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan lessons and activities that encourage students’ acquisition of computer skills, both basic and advanced.
- Observe and manage classroom dynamics.
- Invigilate and grade quizzes, projects, and examinations.
- Track and communicate learners’ advancement throughout the course.
- Download important software updates and maintain hardware.
- Attend instructor-parent and faculty conferences.
- Ensure that the computer laboratory is always free from food and drink at all times.
What Kinds of Jobs Are Available for A Computer Instructor?
With computing skills becoming increasingly important, it is possible to become a computer instructor at all grade and degree levels.
You can be a computer instructor in elementary, middle, or high schools. If you prefer challenges or want to gain the opportunity to conduct research, you can become a computer science professor at a university or college.
Education Requirements
If you want to lead literacy classes, especially on a volunteer level, the user experience may be enough. But some computer instruction positions require a bachelor’s degree and/or teaching experience.
Computer Instructors must hold at least a bachelor’s degree to receive the position of teaching at the secondary level. Meanwhile, a doctoral degree is typically required to get a job at the postsecondary level. Moreover, a master’s degree is usually needed for education at a two-year college.
Essential Skills
The following are some soft and hard skills you can use as a computer instructor:
Soft skills
Here is a list of soft skills computer instructors can use in their careers:
- Teamwork: Computer instructors can regularly collaborate with other instructors or teachers to make lesson plans.
- Leadership: This skill can help a computer instructor engage a class for successful instruction.
- Critical thinking: Both teaching and technology require this skill to troubleshoot problems.
- Organization: As a computer instructor, you can use organization skills to design lesson plans and keep your learners on task during class.
- Communication: Computer instructors can use this skill to help their students understand difficult concepts.
Hard skills
Here are the hard skills you can use to help develop learners’ proficiency with computers:
- Professional development: Learning to develop others’ professional skills like communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving help create lesson plans that enable learners to gain technology-related career skills.
- Engineering: Computer Instructors with engineering knowledge can help their students make robotics.
- IT: Getting IT skills and knowledge can enable you to teach learners about computer networks and skills necessary for a career in the IT field.
- Graphic design: You can utilize graphic design skills to teach your students how to use graphic design programs.
- Web design: With the understanding of web design rules, processes and concepts can let you teach your learners to design web pages.
- Programming: Learning to program in languages such as Java, PHP, and Python, can enable you to design programming lessons for learners.
Essential Tools
Computer instructors must have the right classroom tools to ensure students receive the most out of their education. Here are the top five tools every computer instructor needs in their classroom:
- Arduino
- Blockly Games
- Clever
- ScratchJr
- Thunkable
Job Outlook
Computer science education will be essential as more schools and educational institutions offer classes in this subject. That means more computer science instructors will be needed.
When compared to other professions, computer instructor careers are expected to have a growth rate of 11% from 2018 through 2028, which is described as “Much faster than average.” It is in accordance with the US BLS. Moreover, the projected number of opportunities for a computer instructor by 2028 is 155,000.
Salary
The average annual salary for a computer instructor in the USA is $54,865 per year.
With a simple calculation, you will know that this average annual salary is equivalent to approximately $26.03 per hour, $1,041 per week, and $4,511 per month.
Most computer instructors have salaries between $33,500 and $53,500, with top earners can receive up to $138,500 annually across the US
The average salary range for a computer instructor greatly (by as much as $20,000), suggesting there are many opportunities for increased salary and advancement based on some factors like skill level, years of experience, and location.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Most instructors of grades K 12 have a 2-month summer break.
- Opportunities to teach exist in all states (with proper licensure).
- Advancement opportunities with proven skills are available.
- More opportunities are available in southern states, where population growth is higher.
- Computer instructors often have to work over 40 hours per week in preparing coursework and lessons.
- Most positions require a bachelor’s degree and even an appropriate teaching license.
- These instructors must be able to deal with potentially unruly or disruptive learners.
FAQs
How To Become A Computer Instructor?
Here are four basic steps to becoming a computer instructor:
Step 1: Determine Your Career Goals.
Many career paths are available to computer instructors that wish to teach others about Computers and Computer Technology.
For example, many computer literacy instructors deliver personal enrichment courses to older adults.
Instructors in specific areas, such as networking, can seek jobs in private educational institutions that provide targeted career training.
Computer instructor positions from kindergarten to college are another option.
So you will need to start by determining your specific career purposes and planning accordingly.
Step 2: Complete the Proper Level of Education.
You must research what education programs/courses fulfill your personal career goals. Employer requirements differ according to what computer instructors want to teach.
You should research the job positions in the specific field of computers to determine what program to pursue. They can range from graduate degrees to certificate programs in particular areas, such as networking, or generally accepted majors, such as computer science.
Step 3: Gain Certification or Licensure.
Although the computer literacy instructor often doesn’t require formal credentials, several employers require their candidates to have certifications.
Various software manufacturers, such as Microsoft Office suite or java, deliver certifications specifically for their products.
Software companies may also deliver preparation and certification, but aspiring instructors who like a classroom environment may look for many certification preparation programs at local community colleges.
Step 4: Get Work Experience In The Field to Advance.
Computer instructors may advance by getting teaching experience. For instance, experienced instructors may move to lead instructors and mentorship positions.
As a postsecondary computer instructor, you may advance through an assistant, associate, and full professorship to gain tenure. You can expect this process to take up to seven years.
Teaching learners basic computer skills to advanced degrees in computer or network science requires computer instructors with varied skills and education, depending on the job position. But it is common to have an advanced certification and degree.
Step 5: Find a teaching job.
Once you have achieved a bachelor’s degree or a teaching certification, it is time to look for a computer instructor position. Using online job boards and professional connections is a good idea to find open positions in your area.
Step 6: Gain a license
Licensing is optional for all instructors in the US. Find out the guide you need to follow to get a license in your area. Depending on the state, a license might also be known as a qualification, certification, or credential.
What Are the Careers Associated With Computer Instructors?
Here are some careers for computer instructors looking to transition into other fields:
- Computer systems programmer.
- Telecommunications specialist.
- Information technology architect.
- SEO specialist or marketing director.
- Life, health, or automobile insurance analysis.
- Network security officer for a government agency.
- Informatics officer for a healthcare or biotech firm.
- An application developer or designer for a software firm.
- Data analyst for a private association or corporation.
- Senior IT officer or information technology specialist.
- Website developer for a non-profit organization or private company.
Which Degree Is Best for a Computer Instructor?
Computer instructors are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology systems, computer science, statistics, and data analytics or a related field.
How to Be a Good Computer Instructor?
Computer technology instructors are familiar with computers, often beyond the level or topic they instruct. It is essential to stay up to date on current technology trends to keep your course material relevant.
They may pursue voluntary certifications or a master’s degree in the computer science field. Finally, they are enthusiastic about the subject and aware of the learning needs of each student.
These instructors need patience with learners and should be able to effectively teach all learners, regardless of their relative interest levels in the subject.
Is Being a Computer Instructor A Good Career In the US?
There is always a high demand for this profession in the US as computer science is becoming increasingly popular.
Career Advice
Computer instructors, or computer science instructors, help learners of all ages learn about computer use, from the basics of hardware to advanced coding.
The essential qualifications for a profession as a computer instructor include a bachelor’s degree in the computer science field and hands-on experience.
Some employers may require their candidates to have a master’s degree. You will need a teaching license if you need to teach at the primary and secondary levels. You also need a firm understanding and strong teaching skills of computers.
In addition, keep learning to improve your knowledge and strengthen your skills. That way, we bet you will become a successful computer instructor in the future.