Instructional Designer - Sandton at The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)

Purpose of the job:

This is a support position.  The incumbent will have no direct managerial authority.

The Instructional Designer (ID) will be responsible for the support and professional development of Heads of Programmes and course developers’ capacity to integrate educational technologies into teaching and learning design and to create high-quality online materials, including guiding and assisting the content developers in creating the content on the LMS to meet the specified requirements.
The ID will be responsible for project management around the module and programme development mentioned above and for working collaboratively with the teams from the IIE Central Academic Team.

Key areas of responsibility

Consultation:

• Provide consultation and support in the theoretical and practical approaches to the use of technology in education.

Programme and module planning:

• Integrate principles of teaching and learning to guide the development of highly engaging and effective online modules.
• Implement strategies for the development of appropriate online content for face-to-face/contact and fully online programmes.
• Utilise programme needs analysis, development and evaluation skills and quality assurance. 
• Work collaboratively with teams of subject matter experts.

Material development:

• Apply instructional design principles and support the development of learning material for modules and programmes in cooperation with subject matter experts and Heads of Programmes.
• Project manage the above-mentioned development initiatives.

Training and development:

• Facilitate the training of developers and staff to guide the development of highly engaging and effective online modules.
• Support the training of lecturers and students by quality assuring and co-developing appropriate training interventions.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s Degree (or a recognised equivalent thereof) in education, educational technology, instructional design or a related field is preferred, but an Honour’s Degree would be accepted if accompanied by a relevant skillset.
• A minimum of four years experience in the design and development of online learning material and modules.
• Experience in working on Blackboard Learn and/or Brightspace D2L is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Experience in skills development, applying best practices for adopting and utilising educational technologies in the teaching and learning environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing online materials to meet particular design requirements.
• Experience in working on a Learning Management System (LMS), especially Blackboard Learn and/or Brightspace D2L, is an advantage
• Project management.
• Experience working with academics in a Higher Education environment is recommended and will be an advantage.

Competencies – skills and knowledge

• Understanding and application of contemporary educational learning theories
• Design and deliver skills development interventions (e.g. self-help modules, online webinars and face-to-face workshops) aimed at academic staff on the use of educational technologies.
• Training and skills development focussed on the underpinning theory, and good practice of learning design.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on liaison, negotiation, leadership and inspiration.
• Excellent communication skills.

Technical skills required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint (or a similar software package).
• The ability to develop material on and support users in the use of an LMS (preferably Blackboard Learn) will be an advantage.
• Additional related technical skills will be an advantage.