Instructional Designer
Bay Path University · Longmeadow, MA · On-site · Staff (Full-time)
This position provides course development services to assist educators in creating innovative, engaging online courses for all course modalities. This individual works with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Academic Program Directors (PDs) to identify, assess, implement, and support the most appropriate technology applications for each course developed. The Instructional Designer will build relevant content within the Canvas learning management system and make recommendations for enhancement, including increasing the use of multimedia and collaborative activities, alternative forms of content, and developing strategies to increase student engagement. The Instructional Designer contributes to resolving student and instructor technical issues in a timely fashion. In collaboration with PDs, this individual ensures the course structure meets the guidelines set by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. This individual works collaboratively with educators and other online learning support staff to assess learning analytics and other data to help promote cycles of continuous improvement. This individual is involved in reviewing existing online courses against quality assurance measures and applying best practices such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and incorporating Open Educational Resources (OER) to promote student success and academic excellence.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Work collaboratively with Program Directors, Subject Matter Experts, and Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning team members through the online course development process, from initial brainstorming stages, such as recommending technology tools, to final implementation of tools in various platforms.
- Provide thorough course quality assurance reviews, ensuring that courses are built according to standard design principles and guidelines.
- Identify, assess, test, deploy, and support instructional technologies when applicable during builds.
- Recommend process improvements for course design projects.
- Work collaboratively to track the delivery of work products in course development project cycles using standard tracking tools and standard tagging and coding mechanisms related to project management.
- Report regularly to key stakeholders on the progress of course development projects.
- Assess learning analytics and other data sources, both quantitative and qualitative, to evaluate course performance metrics.
- Assist in the development of video and text-based tutorials to assist students and faculty in using the LMS (Canvas), third-party tools, and adaptive technology.
- Serve as an expert for standard course development templates.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the University.
- Maintain current knowledge of best practices in education, instructional technology, and learning analytics.
- May be required to attend and participate in conference meetings, as needed, with subject matter experts, as well as faculty and staff.
- Attend trainings as required.
- Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned by the University.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Experience in a higher education environment preferred, ideally in an instructional design or instructional technology role.
- Experience with building online course content within learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with educational technology and content development tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Google Apps, Snagit, Captivate, Camtasia, and e-learning authoring tools.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and successfully complete tasks according to established deadlines.
- Skills in gathering and processing information to provide technology support to a variety of stakeholders.
- Interest in exploring Artificial Intelligence to enhance workflows is encouraged.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and teamwork skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in teaching or training situations to a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the University community including students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and within FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
- All new employees must complete the FERPA, Anti-Harassment, and any other required online trainings within 15 days of employment.
- General knowledge of the University's mission, purpose and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.
