Instructional Design Jobs in Higher EdMelissa A. Venable, PhD & Amy J. Hilbelink, PhD

TCC 2015 – Online Conference – #TCC20th

HELP

WANTED

https://teachonline.asu.edu/2013/10/introducing-the-asu-instructional-designers/

What is an I.D.?

HigherEdJobs.com– 25 open vacancy announcements– “Instructional Designer” job title– posted by colleges and universities– minimum requirements/qualifications

What do Instructional Designers Do?

• What are higher education employers looking for?

• What technical skills are needed?• What administrative skills are needed?• What are the expectations for education and

prior experience?• Are there “other duties” to consider?

What are higher ed employers looking for?Task/Function N (25) %Consult, guide faculty on new course design/dev, selection of instructional strategies

17 68

Provide faculty development resources such as workshops, training materials, tutorials

16 64

Collaborate with faculty on course design, development, implementation 15 60

Work under specific approach or theoretical direction 13 52

Project management duties 12 48

Evaluate or test emerging edtech, delivery methods, trends, best practices 12 48

Implement, oversee quality assurance practices 11 44

Administer or support course production in LMS, assessment systems in collaboration with IT resources

11 44

Design and develop learning and support materials for faculty and/or students 11 44

Revise or assist faculty with revision of existing courses, periodic course reviews 9 36

Provide first-line tech support to faculty 6 24

Technology Skills n (20) %

Learning Management Systems 11 55

Multimedia design and production 9 45

“Instructional technologies” 7 35

Graphic design and editing 6 30

Web design 6 30

MS Office (spreadsheets, documents, presentations)

5 25

HTML – Digital Media – Web-based Communication Tools Web 2.0 technologies – Cross-platform – Web Conferencing Social

Media – Mobile Devices – PHP – Desktop Publishing K-12 Technologies – Animation – Cloud-based Tools

Instant Messaging and Texting – Internet Skills Coding and Scripting

What technical skills are needed?

What administrative skills are needed?

Task/FunctionConsult, guide faculty on new course design/dev, selection of instructional strategies

Provide faculty development resources such as workshops, training materials, tutorials

Collaborate with faculty on course design, development, implementation

Project management duties

Evaluate or test emerging edtech, delivery methods, trends, best practices

Implement, oversee quality assurance practices

Administer or support course production in LMS, assessment systems in collaboration with IT resourcesRevise or assist faculty with revision of existing courses, periodic course reviews

Provide first-line tech support to faculty

Master’s 12 positions 48%

Bachelor’s 11 44%

Bachelor’s or Master’s 2 8%

Instructional Design 18 positions 72%

Instructional Technology 13 52%

Education 6 24%

Educational Technology 6 24%Curriculum Design 4 16%

3 years 5 positions

5 2

3-5 2

2 2

1-3 2

DEG

REE

FIEL

D O

F ST

UDY

EXPE

RIEN

CE

What are the expectations for education and experience?

Other “duties as assigned”… ?!

• Represent department on campus committees• Identify and recommend OER• Manage contractor deliverables• Event planning • ____________ What tasks

have you experienced?

Vacancy Announcement – Part 1

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER (entry level)

Position Description

Consult with and guide faculty on new course design and development projects. Assist with selection of instructional strategies. Provide faculty development resources such as workshops/webinars, training materials, and self-paced tutorials. Collaborate with faculty members on course design, development, and implementation. Manage course production process. Apply a specific approach or theoretical direction to design and development.

Vacancy Announcement– Part 2

Technology skills– Learning Management System(s) <- which one(s)?– Multimedia Design and Production <- software, etc.

Administrative skills– Consulting <- consider context– Collaboration <- internal and external opportunities– Project Management <- related responsibilities– Evaluation and Testing <- usability, pilots, data collection/analysis– Faculty and/or Student Support <- 1on1, resources, troubleshooting

Experience and Education– Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree <- pros and cons – Three years related experience <- what would you accept?

Tips for Hiring Managers• Identify your emerging needs – upcoming

projects, initiatives, restructuring.• Identify any skill gaps within current team. • Set realistic expectations for balancing

education-experience.• Connect with academic programs.• _______________

What would you add?

Tips for Future Instructional Designers

• Review current job announcements. – Are you a good fit? – Where do you need to improve, expand, focus?

• Find opportunities to get practical experience.– Start a portfolio: collect work samples and

testimonials, recommendations• Network with colleagues/classmates, career

centers, colleges, and professional organizations. • Keep learning; stay current. The work is evolving!• _____________ Share your ideas!

Where is the best professional development for instructional

designers?

“In this challenging economy, it's up to workers to make sure they

learn the skills they need.”

- PayScale.com

Thank you for participating!

Melissa A. Venable, PhD– OnlineColleges.net – melissa.a.venable@gmail.com– www.linkedin.com/in/melissavenable/

Amy J. Hilbelink, PhD– Laureate Online Education– ahilbelink@gmail.com– www.linkedin.com/in/amyhilbelink/

Enjoy the conference!