JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                  Instructional Designer                           DATE: May 2012

WORK GROUP:          Professional Learning and Leadership    GROUP: Certified Union Personnel

REPORTS TO:             Project Manager, Statewide Online Learning

JOB OVERVIEW

The Instructional Designer will design, develop, and support online professional development opportunities for Iowa educators. Will work with statewide content teams in Moodle course development, virtual synchronous meeting deployment, web authoring, graphic design, project evaluation, teacher training, and other responsibilities related to distance learning applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Instructional Design and Consultation

Participates in the research, planning, and design of online professional development projects prioritized by the AEA Online Council and developed in conjunction with statewide teams.

1.          Contributes to meetings and discussions with team members related to the ongoing design and development of online professional development.

2.          Assists with all phases of the design process, including needs analysis, audience analysis, specification of objectives, selection of strategies, development of assessment, and evaluation of materials.

3.          Documents and organizes project design plans, program characteristic, instructional strategies, storyboards, flowcharts, objectives, etc.

4.          Prepares flowcharts and storyboards for use in the design, evaluation, and production of media resources.

5.          Researches the teaching and learning strategies involved in the design and development of various types of online learning.

Production of Online Professional Development Content

Produces professional development content, including stand-alone trainings, online courses, online communities/social networking, and synchronous options.

6.          Develops online course content in the Moodle platform, as well as with SCORM-compliant tools

7.          Develops and hosts synchronous professional development opportunities for educators

8.          Creates and/or prepare graphics for educational projects. Works with partner organizations to acquire and prepare media assets for educational use

9.          Prepares video content for variety of online delivery systems

Teacher Outreach

Consults with AEA consultants & K-12 educators on the proper use of instructional design in e-learning

10.        Participates in planning and delivery of training sessions, workshops, and conference presentations to AEA PD Online initiatives.

11.        Consults with AEA staff and the Iowa K-12 community on the educational use of instructional design pedagogy and practices.

12.        Researches and writes material for educational communications.

13.        Demonstrates cultural competence and behaviors consistent with the core values, vision, and mission of Heartland AEA 11.

Evaluation of Online Professional Development Materials

Evaluates the quality and appropriate use of commercial online professional development materials.

14.        Performs evaluations and pilot tests of the utilization of online professional development materials.

15.        Assists with the development of evaluation instruments, including generation and revision of evaluation questions.

16.        Participates in documenting and reporting of all evaluation activities.

Technical Consultation

Researches new applications for online professional development, plans for the organization of media and application files, and maintains a system for development, production, transfer, and mastering of new media programs

17.        Administers online learning course management platform. Supports teachers using this system.

18.        Consults with Online Council, individual AEA Directors, and other team members of new hardware and software solutions supporting the development of instructional media.

19.        Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

            The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.      Excellent people skills required.

2.      Must possess ability to work in a team environment.

3.      Must have the ability to learn new skills related to distance learning, online technologies, web applications, and their uses in professional development and adult learning.

4.      Must be able to assume responsibility without direct supervision, exercise initiative and judgment, and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.

5.      Accuracy, confidentiality, dependability, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a positive, collaborative attitude are required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1.     Master’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, or related field is required.

2.     Minimum of five (5) years experience with online learning platforms.

3.     Experience in an educational setting is required.

4.     Must be appropriately licensed/certified by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical demands include: bending, carrying, climbing, pushing/pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, and walking. Must be able to travel between job sites. Includes extremes of temperature and humidity and hazards include stairs and communicable diseases

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Length of Contract: 192 days

FLSA:  Exempt