Instructional Designer for Distance Learning

Louisiana Christian University - Pineville, LA

Full-time - Mid Level

Pineville, LA

About the position

Louisiana Christian University seeks a qualified and experienced Instructional Designer to work collaboratively with administrative and faculty leadership. The Instructional Designer leads the design, development, and redesign of interactive online courses using a variety of digital resources and collaborates with subject matter experts (SMEs) to design, develop and revise courses in a way that enhances student engagement and learning outcomes. The successful candidate possesses an in-depth knowledge of the pedagogical practices that support technology-enhanced and online learning, as well as experience with a wide range of learning technologies that support high-quality teaching and learning in online environments. The continuous learning and dissemination of knowledge of the latest proven tools and techniques by the Instructional Designer will be essential to foster the highest possible level of proficiency among faculty members. In addition, the Instructional Designer actively facilitates faculty development in pedagogy and instructional design theory, and techniques and technologies that facilitate learning through consultations, seminars, and workshops. The Instructional Designer works with the Faculty Support Specialist to provide troubleshooting support to ensure all personnel are effectively delivering instruction using the Learning Management System and related teaching tools within the department and courses. The Instructional Designer works with the Coordinator of Distance Learning to recommend procedures to ensure state, federal, and accreditation policies related to instruction, curriculum, and course design.

Responsibilities

• Develop materials for training sessions, including functional templates for online learning modules.
• Develop, recommend, and implement instructional guidelines, procedures, and practices that foster LCU's online mission and promote student learning and academic success.
• Meet regularly with deans, chairs, and program directors to receive input on planning for online curriculum, instruction, and course design.
• Provide individualized assistance to faculty redesigning or converting online courses.
• Ensure appropriate Quality Matters standards for quality online education are met or exceeded.
• Analyze student learning outcomes and devise modes of assessment to measure the effectiveness of the outcomes for each course.
• Ensure that coursework follows best-practices design and accreditation standards.
• Ensure faith and learning experiences are part of the curriculum design.
• Stay current with trends in online technology and best practices of teaching and learning; make recommendations about potential technological and pedagogical adjustments.
• Demonstrate skills in learning theories to support effective pedagogical and andragogical principles to support the effective teaching and learning of online students (traditional and non-traditional).
• Oversee piloting and evaluation phases of newly redesigned or developed online courses.
• Develop/lead faculty development training sessions in strategies and tools for online instruction.
• Plan, manage, and provide faculty development and training in the use of instructional technology in course development, assessment of student outcomes, and best-practice teaching and learning methodologies for online education.

Requirements

• Master's degree in distance education administration, education technology, curriculum and instruction, or instructional design, preferred.
• Substantial experience in online higher education, including teaching online and administrative/supervisory responsibilities.
• Proven work experience in instructional design and with instructional technology in higher education.
• Strong writing, verbal, listening, organizational, and leadership skills required.
• High attention to detail.
• High level of energy, enthusiasm, and motivation.
• Demonstrated training in a course quality initiative, preferably Quality Matters.
• Excellent knowledge of lesson planning, curriculum design, and adult learning theories, instructional design models, strategies, and best practices.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects simultaneously and within designated deadlines.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards and SARA agreements.
• Knowledge of streaming audio and video, file types and formats, and experience with learning management software.
• Basic HTML and Flash programming knowledge.
• Solid knowledge of course development and online learning tools and at least one Learning Management System (Turnitin, VoiceThread, Jenzabar, Canvas).
• Visual design skills (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator) and ability to storyboard.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with additional learning management systems beyond those listed.
• Familiarity with advanced instructional design methodologies.
• Experience in a Christian educational environment.