Educational Developer (eLearning and Distributed Learning Environments)
Overview
Under the general direction of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), the Educational Developer (eLearning and Distributed Learning Environments) will provide expert advice, collaborative technical and pedagogical support to faculty and other subject matter experts regarding appropriate teaching strategies, learning activities, assessment mechanisms and the integration of appropriate learning technologies in the design and development of online and blended degree credit and non-credit courses.
Responsibilities
Instructional Design
- Provide instructional design and technical support for faculty, teaching, and administrative staff using technology in instruction
- Provide guidance on instructional design, assessment strategies, and inclusive teaching practices grounded in learning theory and educational research.
- Collaborate with faculty and instructors to design, develop, and revise courses that integrate effective pedagogical strategies and educational technologies in online, hybrid, and in-person contexts.
- Assist faculty, teaching and administrative staff with designing, creating, and revising online courses and learning material
- Collaboratively determine best instructional approaches/methodologies using educational technologies and applications to meet course objectives set out by the course designer
- Collaborate with faculty, teaching and administration staff to identify and integrate online resources and/or educational technologies in a sound pedagogical manner to enhance the learning environment
- Ensure consistency and standards are maintained in online courses and material (e.g., consistent layout/format of content). Ensure all materials are in adherence with copyright regulations and AODA customer service standards
- Collaboratively develop techniques and policies to meet accessibility standards
- Assist faculty and teaching staff in creating professional, high-quality instructional multimedia for online and blended course sites hosted by the university’s learning management system utilizing instructional technology tools, strategies, and resources
- Manage several concurrent course development projects, including establishing and monitoring development timelines to ensure deadlines are met. Plans and organizes projects with attention to detail, competing and conflicting demands, and multiple stakeholder needs
- Advise broader technology-related course changes to immediate supervisor
- Recommend future technologies that improve the ability of faculty, teaching and administrative staff to create and deliver quality educational experience in online environments
Training Support
- Facilitate workshops, webinars, and one-on-one consultations to build teaching capacity and confidence in technology-enhanced and distributed learning environments.
- Coordinate, develop, and deliver customized training on the pedagogical use of learning management systems (e.g., Brightspace/Desire2Learn) and other instructional technologies.
- Support institutional initiatives that enhance teaching quality, student success, and innovation in learning design.
- Research, evaluate, and share emerging practices and tools that support high-quality, accessible, and engaging learning experiences.
- Create new and update existing support documentation and resources related to teaching strategies and educational technologies and applications
- Provide advice and guidance to faculty on effective teaching strategies for the online and blended environment through individual mentoring and campus-wide workshops. Support faculty in problem-solving for pedagogical and technical challenges for both new and ongoing online and blended courses. Promote the use of current and new educational technologies and applications
Administrative Support
- Collaborate with colleagues in the Teaching and Learning team to contribute to resource development, strategic projects, and communities of practice.
- Support course and program review processes, including quality assurance and accessibility standards.
- Assist in the development and implementation of standard practices and procedures for the use of educational technologies within the University’s Acceptable Use Policy
- Maintain existing and collaboratively develop new protocols and contingency plans for: user access to course sites and other educational technologies and applications; course site design in the learning management systems and other educational technologies and applications; installation of applications for educational use; dissemination of digital media, etc.
- Participate in the testing of web tools and instructional resources (e.g., ease of use, cross-platform reliability, adherence to campus-wide educational compatibility standards) as requested
- Provide support (via email, phone, face-to-face, desktop and regular video conferencing,) for troubleshooting of login and/or functionality issues associated with the educational technologies and applications supported by the Teaching Commons
- Prepare reports (e.g., statistical reports on the usage of educational technologies and applications, progress reports on course development, etc.)
- Participate in internal and external committees and work groups and departmental meetings
- Contribute to a culture of collaboration, reflection, and innovation within the university’s teaching and learning community.
- Engage in continuous professional learning and scholarly approaches to teaching and learning.
- Maintain professional development and competencies through workshops, conferences, webinars, committees, listservs, etc.
Qualifications
- A degree in a related field; Master of Education (MEd) or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in educational development, instructional design, digital pedagogy, and teaching and learning support in a postsecondary context.
- In-depth knowledge of online, hybrid, and distributed learning pedagogy and practice.
- Experience using learning management systems (e.g., Brightspace/Desire2Learn) and related educational technologies.
- Strong understanding of learning theory, universal design for learning, and inclusive pedagogical approaches.
- Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work across instructional/academic and IT functions.
- Post-secondary teaching experience is an asset.
- Aptitude for learning new and potential educational technologies and applications
- Excellent communication, customer service, time management, and presentation skills, with the ability to design and deliver training for diverse faculty audiences.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace Applications, including Mail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite; experience in writing reports
- Strong familiarity with HTML editing applications
- Ability to coordinate multiple, simultaneous projects and tasks; flexible and adaptable to function efficiently in an environment subject to frequent interruptions, new demands and conditions, and high volumes of activity, particularly at peak times
- Demonstrated project management experience and problem-solving skills
- Ability to take initiative and work independently and in collaborative settings
- Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision
The successful candidate can be located on either campus; remote working arrangements may be considered.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.