Instructional Designer at a University

One of the main types of Instructional Design roles is within the Higher Education setting. This is also one role that may be offered for remote workers depending on the University.

Smaller universities may have just one or two ID'ers, whereas you can anticipate being part of a team with larger schools. Also, larger institutions may have specialty roles that are a subset of the larger ID role. 

Let's take a look at a recent job posting for a Learning Designer Specialist at a top university. For those studying to be an ID'er, or those who graduated within the last few years, what do you think of these requirements? Do they match reality? Do you feel prepared to offer these skills?

Position Summary

The Senior Learning Experience Designer (SLXD) OR Learning Experience Designer (LXD) will focus on developing high quality learning experiences. The SLXD/LXD will be responsible for assisting faculty in achieving and measuring specific learning and teaching outcomes by leveraging adult learning theory, evidence-based instructional design methods and innovative instructional technology. Primarily focused on fully online and multi-modal course design and revision, the SLXD/LXD may also partner with faculty on the development and revision of courses delivered on campus or via other innovative modalities.

The SLXD/LXD will work closely with instructional designers (IDs) and multimedia experience designers within and external to the Office of Online Programs (OOP) to ensure that the course plans/storyboards are appropriately built in the learning management system (LMS). The SLXD/LXD may also be responsible for directly building some course elements/ assessments on their own in the LMS. They will be the main conduit with the faculty, responsible for keeping the course development/ re-development process on time and on schedule.

The SLXD will also support the Director, Learning Experience Design with activities related to team scheduling, team mentoring, team training as well as other strategic initiatives.

As a valued unit within the Office of the Provost and larger Villanova community, the Office of Online Programs (OOP) embraces an intentionally-designed hybrid work schedule to ensure that all employees can enjoy the benefits of belonging to a vibrant campus community.

Duties and Responsibilities

65% Partner with College faculty and/or other subject matter experts in the creation and revision of high quality learning experiences. Use facilitation skills, learning theory and learning science to recommend appropriate course structure, sequence, activities, assessments, etc. to reach stated learning outcomes. Following a well-orchestrated design approach , provide hands-on assistance to faculty throughout this discovery and development process with the goal of creating a course blueprint and accompanying documents that meet the unique pedagogical needs of the college, department, faculty, and course. Partner with faculty to keep course development projects on schedule and successfully meet stated deadlines. Contribute to regular team process improvements to ensure operational success and adherence to designing "the Villanova Way".

20%-30% (Depending on Rank) Partner with the course development team to translate the course blueprints into a digital course shell within the LMS. Provide guidance and support to IDs on any specific questions and feedback on the look and feel of partial course builds/videos prior to faculty review. Participate directly in the planning and execution of digital course build and media creation process as needed to meet deadlines.

10% (SLXD Only) Assist the Director, Learning Experience Design with strategic initiatives/projects as assigned to promote the ongoing advancement of online learning design and the overall growth of online learning at the university.

5% Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

In summary, candidates for the SLXD rank will be evaluated based on:
Education - Master's degree required.
Work Experience -

• At least 5 years of experience in field.
• Some management/mentoring experience providing guidance to a team of learning experience designers.
• Work Skills - Demonstrated ability to manage projects and lead strategic initiatives.

See below for additional details.

Preferred Qualifications

Education
Master's degree in education-related field, instructional design, instructional technology, or another relevant field required for SLXD. Similar Bachelor's degree required for LXD; Master's degree preferred.

Job Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning theory, evidence-based instructional design models, innovative instructional technology, and online learning. Systems thinking and design thinking knowledge a plus.
• Demonstrated experience working with curriculum, assessment, and measurable learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in providing pedagogical guidance to develop online and/or multi-modal courses in a higher educational setting.
• Knowledge of software used in technology-based instruction including Learning Management Systems and other applications such as Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Canvas, Zoom, etc.
• Knowledge of accessibility, WCAG 2.1, and universal design principles.
• Familiarity with copyright and intellectual property standards for course development.
• Familiarity with federal guidelines governing online education.

Work Experience

• At least five years (SLXD) / three years (LXD) of experience providing guidance on the design of learning experience outcomes for fully online and multi-modal instruction in higher education.
• Some management/mentoring experience for SLXD candidates.

Work Skills
Desire to work in a mission-driven, cross-functional, team-based environment with a commitment to process improvement. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with faculty members and industry practitioners in all disciplines as well as partner with instructional designers, multimedia designers, library professionals, and third-party vendors. Strong emotional intelligence and relationship manager. Ability to understand and solve problems which require extensive follow-up with both internal and external constituencies. Excellent organizational and project management skills and attention to detail. Strong written, oral communication, facilitation, interpersonal and collaborative skills. Adept at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a very fast-moving organizational environment. Commitment to equity and inclusion as it relates to the design of best in class courses. Working knowledge of design thinking or willingness to learn design thinking as it relates to multi-modal, stakeholder driven course design and development.