This is a specialist position which combines an educational background and instructional design skills within the higher education learning environment. The Instructional Designer (ID) is responsible for the instructional design and development of suitable media in a blended learning environment. This includes interactive multimedia, course content and digital study material suitable for standalone use or integration onto the LMS eLearning platform. The Senior ID will overall be responsible for the evaluation and quality assurance of web-based educational sites and material, as well as study material products developed for teaching and learning purposes. The Senior ID is responsible for the project management of allocated projects. As a change agent the senior ID provides relevant and responsible instructional design guidelines and best teaching practice advice to lecturers and other role-players by way of liaison, consultation, and training.

A strategic input of the senior ID will include the research, development and innovative implementation of applicable technologies and media. As such the successful integration will depend on the senior ID’s consultation with and advice for lecturer, to contribute to the successful achievement of the department’s vision to stimulate quality education at the North-West University. The Senior Instructional Designer will act as a mentor to Junior Instructional Designers, Multimedia Designers and learning content design teams.

·         Master’s degree in Education / Learning Design / Learning Technology / Instructional Design / Media Design is essential.

·         PhD in Education / Learning Design / Learning Technology / Instructional Design / Media Design is desirable.

·         5 years’ experience in Instructional design and development of learning material, learning activities and assessment activities in standalone multimedia products as well as within a learning management system is essential.

·         5 years’ experience in the conceptualization and management of assigned projects within a multidisciplinary team approach is essential.

·         5 years’ experience in training of, and support to, academic staff in the use of electronic learning environments is essential.

·         5 years’ experience with curriculum design, including the application of Level Descriptors for the South African National

Qualifications Framework, writing learning outcomes and the constructive alignment of learning outcomes, activities, and assessments are essential.

·         3 years’ experience in the facilitation of learning design workshops to assist lecturers to redesign learning experiences in both

face to face and online environments is desirable.

·         3 years’ operational experience and problem-solving skills within various software applications, including MS Office,

Adobe suite, Articulate suite, learning management systems, and project management tools is essential.

·         Sound understanding of educational principles and methodologies and their application in higher education, including

experience in the design and development of blended and/or online educational programs, courses, activities and learning resources.

·         Proven ability to guide and support lecturers in developing multimodal teaching and learning strategies

·         Proven facilitations skills to provide professional development to harness affordances of educational technologies to improve

the learning experiences of students

·         Micro curriculum design and development in Carpe Diem session as well as individual consultations with lecturers who want to

revise the learning and assessment activities in their modules, as well as new modules for existing and new qualifications. Ability to write SMART outcomes and assessment criteria

·         Work with Academic Advisors and lecturers on macro and meso circulation of new and reviewed qualifications, programmes,

and modules

·         Manage the multimedia staff members and lead them in the creation of teaching and learning material

·         Proven ability to collaborate with and lead multifaceted teams with may include, Educational Technologists, Multimedia

Developers, Videographers, and Graphical Designers, to assist lecturers with the design and development of digital study material

·         Experience in managing multiple projects, demonstrating well developed organisational skills and a capacity to act

independently within established guidelines.

·         Demonstrated ability to work well within a collaborative team environment, develop productive relationships quickly, and sustain

a client service orientation.

·         Support faculty with the design and delivery of the newly developed or redesigned courses

·         Support lecturers to explore new and emerging technologies to enhance the learning experience of students

·         Guide lecturers in the thoughtful use and application of the various Learning Management System (LMS) tools to support

sound pedagogical teaching and learning approaches Knowledge and ability to determine the instructional needs of lecturers for

implementing electronic education. Project and time management skills

·         Maintain and create links with other Higher Education institutions and participate in communities of practice relevant to Teaching and Learning design.    

·         The ability to work as part of a team and receive feedback from various sources

·         Good organisational and time-management abilities

·         The ability to use own initiative and work under pressure

·         Interpersonal skills

·         Communication skills

·         Provide faculty with guidance and advice regarding the appropriate instructional solutions in a multi-modal learning environment.

·         Research the theory of the discipline of instructional design and provide training to various stakeholders.

·         Conduct training in the development and use of instructional/learning material.

·         Apply concepts, techniques, and theories of instructional design to learning and performance improvement.

·         Participate in professional development activities by networking with other Universities and mentoring staff within CLT.

·         Identify ethical, legal, and political dimensions of instructional design practice and instructional products and adhere to regulatory guidelines and organizational policies.

·         Have experience with open educational resources and South African copyright laws as it relates to educational media.

·         Analyse the characteristics of existing and emerging media and technologies and their potential use.

·         Conduct a needs analysis to determine the nature of a learning or performance.

·         Work with subject matter experts to identify teaching and learning needs

·         Identify and recommend potential teaching and learning solutions.

·         Identify the scope of required content in accordance with needs assessment findings.

·         Analyse existing instructional products to determine adequacy or inadequacy of content, instruction, and learning.

·         Plan instructional programs and/or products to be designed, developed, and evaluated.

·         Establish project scope, timelines, and goals.

·         Analyse and apply trends and best practices in learning technologies and instructional design

·         Identify instructional strategies that align with instructional goals and anticipated learning outcomes. Specify and sequence the anticipated learning and performance outcomes.

·         Design engaging learning activities, compelling course content, and supporting material/media (audio, video, simulations, role-plays, games, etc) that enhances retention and transfer.

·         Select appropriate technology and media to enhance instructional interventions, considering theory, research, and practical factors and apply appropriate interaction design and interactive learning principles.

·         Design interventions and materials that consider the type of information being delivered and the diverse backgrounds, roles, and varied responsibilities of students and lecturers.

·         Identify the learning processes and outcomes to be measured and ensure that assessment is aligned with instructional goals, anticipated learning outcomes, and instructional strategies.

·         Visualize and communicate the plan for instructional material, the user interface, and the finished product.

·         Curriculum design, including the application of Level Descriptors for the South African National Qualifications Framework, writing learning outcomes and the constructive alignment of learning outcomes, activities, and assessments.

·         Develop storyboards for materials that align with the content analyses, proposed technologies, delivery methods, and instructional strategies.

·         Develop specifications that serve as the basis for media production.

·         Collaborate with production specialists and subject matter experts to produce instructional materials in a variety of delivery formats.

 

·         Oversee the UX testing the designed and developed instructional solutions and digital study material.

·         Oversee the implementation (publishing and distribution) of the designed and developed instructional solutions.

·         Monitor and interpret usage data and feedback of interventions to measure the effectiveness of instructional solutions.

·         Revise instructional solutions based on data.

·         Conduct project reviews with design team members and stakeholders.

·         Align instructional design efforts with organisation’s strategic plans and goals.

·         Modify the instructional design process as project parameters change.

·         Manage projects and cross-functional teams allocated to projects.

·         Establish standards of excellence for instructional design.

·         Conduct project reviews with design team members and SMEs.

·         Identify SMEs and other stakeholders and the nature of their involvement.

·         Build and promote effective relationships between the design team and SMEs.

·         Identify and resolve project issues.

·         Maintain project documentation and reports.

·         Provide mentorship to the design team.  

·         Complete ad hoc tasks as handed down by line manager.

·         Keep up to date regarding new software, new design techniques and theory.  

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.