Information Technology

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Why it works

Information technology, as a career and technical education field, covers the infrastructure and support of the digital world: networking, computer systems and hardware, technical support, databases, cloud, and cybersecurity operations, preparing students for a large set of in-demand careers that differ from software development (the focus of computer science). Strong IT education combines foundational technical knowledge, extensive hands-on and lab-based skill-building, industry certifications (which carry real labor-market value), and problem-solving and troubleshooting. Teaching it well means building genuine, applied technical competencies, often toward certifications and careers, not just conceptual overview.

The research: CTE and information technology education standards.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: build applied technical competencies

Teachers leave with hands-on IT skill-building toward certifications and careers.

Pick an IT topic or unit (networking, systems, support, security).
Teach the foundational technical knowledge.
Build extensive hands-on, lab-based skills and troubleshooting.
Connect to certifications and in-demand careers.

Applied technical skills, toward careersIT education builds real networking, systems, support, and security skills through hands-on labs, often toward certifications and careers, distinct from programming-focused CS.

Facilitator notes

Teach foundational technical knowledge, and build hands-on, lab-based skills.
Connect to certifications and careers.
It differs from CS.

Conceptual overview is not IT skill-buildingIT careers need applied, hands-on technical skills and troubleshooting, often toward certifications. Build real competencies, not just a conceptual survey.

Adapt it

Middle school: exploration, basics, troubleshooting.
High school: networking, systems, security, certifications.
All settings: hands-on technical skills, certifications, careers.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

Information Technology: applied skills and careers

Keeping the digital world running: hands-on networking, systems, support, and security skills toward certifications.

The IT topic or unit (networking, systems, support, security):
The foundational technical knowledge I teach:
The hands-on, lab-based skills and troubleshooting:
The certifications I connect to:
The in-demand careers:

Make it stick

Applied skills, careers:

Build applied technical skills.
Connect to certifications.
Bring an IT lesson to the next PLC.

Common questions

Isn't IT the same as computer science?

Related but distinct. Computer science focuses on programming and computational thinking; IT focuses on infrastructure and support, networking, systems, support, security operations. They lead to different (both in-demand) careers.

What makes a strong IT program?

Foundational technical knowledge, extensive hands-on and lab-based skill-building, industry certifications (which carry real labor-market value), and problem-solving and troubleshooting.

Do students need to code?

Some, but IT is more about systems, networks, support, and security than software development. Hands-on technical and troubleshooting skills are central.