Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time you used technology to improve student engagement.
2. How do you ensure that your instructional materials are accessible to all learners?
3. Describe a time when you had to adapt your teaching methods to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners.
4. How do you measure the effectiveness of your instruction?
5. What are your thoughts on the use of blended learning?
6. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest instructional technology trends?
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses as an Instructional Technologist?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a commonly used method for answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When answering a STAR question, you should start by describing the situation you were in. Next, explain the task you were responsible for. Then, describe the actions you took to complete the task. Finally, discuss the positive results of your actions.

Using the STAR framework can help you give clear, concise, and structured answers to behavioral interview questions. This can make a positive impression on interviewers and help you get the job you want.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time you used technology to improve student engagement.

Question: Tell me about a time you used technology to improve student engagement.

STAR Answer:

Situation: I was teaching a class of high school students who were struggling to understand the concept of fractions.

Task: I needed to find a way to make the material more engaging and easier for them to understand.

Action: I created an interactive online game that allowed students to learn about fractions in a fun and interactive way.

Result: The game was a huge success! The students loved it, and their test scores improved significantly.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is creative and resourceful.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use technology to improve student engagement.

2. How do you ensure that your instructional materials are accessible to all learners?

Question: How do you ensure that your instructional materials are accessible to all learners?

STAR Answer:

Situation: I was developing an online course for students with disabilities.

Task: I needed to make sure that the course materials were accessible to all students, regardless of their disability.

Action: I used a variety of tools and techniques to make the course materials accessible, such as screen readers, closed captions, and alternative text.

Result: All students were able to access and learn from the course materials.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is knowledgeable about accessibility and is committed to making their materials accessible to all learners.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use technology to create accessible instructional materials.

3. Describe a time when you had to adapt your teaching methods to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners.

Question: Describe a time when you had to adapt your teaching methods to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners.

STAR Answer:

Situation: I was teaching a class of students from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Task: I needed to find a way to make the material relevant to all students and to ensure that they all had the opportunity to succeed.

Action: I used a variety of teaching methods and strategies to meet the needs of all learners. For example, I used visuals, real-world examples, and cooperative learning.

Result: All students were able to learn and succeed in the class.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is flexible and adaptable and is able to meet the needs of all learners.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use a variety of teaching methods and strategies.

4. How do you measure the effectiveness of your instruction?

Question: How do you measure the effectiveness of your instruction?

STAR Answer:

Situation: I was teaching a class of students who were struggling to learn a new concept.

Task: I wanted to find a way to measure the students’ learning and to make sure that they were understanding the material.

Action: I used a variety of assessment methods, such as quizzes, tests, and portfolios, to measure the students’ learning.

Result: I was able to identify the students who were struggling and to provide them with additional support.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is committed to assessing student learning and to using data to inform their teaching.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use a variety of assessment methods.

5. What are your thoughts on the use of blended learning?

Question: What are your thoughts on the use of blended learning?

STAR Answer:

Situation: I was teaching a class of students who were struggling to keep up with the pace of the class.

Task: I wanted to find a way to give the students more opportunities to learn at their own pace and to reinforce the material that they were learning in class.

Action: I implemented a blended learning approach, which allowed students to learn some of the material online and some of the material in class.

Result: The students were able to learn at their own pace and to master the material more effectively.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is familiar with blended learning and is able to implement it effectively.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use technology to enhance student learning.

6. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest instructional technology trends?

Question: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest instructional technology trends?

STAR Answer:

Situation: I wanted to make sure that I was using the latest instructional technology trends in my teaching.

Task: I needed to find a way to learn about new technologies and to stay up-to-date on the latest research.

Action: I attended conferences, read journals, and networked with other educators to learn about new instructional technology trends.

Result: I was able to implement new technologies in my teaching and to improve student learning.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is specific and provides details about the situation, task, action, and result.
* It shows that the candidate is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest instructional technology trends.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to learn new technologies and to apply them to their teaching.

7. What are your strengths and weaknesses as an Instructional Technologist?

Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses as an Instructional Technologist?

STAR Answer:

Strengths:

* I am a creative and innovative educator who is always looking for new ways to engage students and improve learning.
* I am proficient in a variety of instructional technologies and I am able to use them effectively to enhance student learning.
* I am a strong communicator and I am able to build relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.

Weaknesses:

* I am sometimes too ambitious and I take on too many projects at once.
* I can be a perfectionist and I sometimes spend too much time on details.
* I am not always good at delegating tasks and I sometimes try to do everything myself.

Why this answer is strong:

* It is honest and forthright.
* It shows that the candidate is self-aware and is able to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
* It demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to continuous improvement.