UW Colleges Human Resources
UW COLLEGES ONLINE
Instructional Designer
General Description
The University of Wisconsin Colleges Online is seeking candidates for the position of Instructional Designer to support its growing program. Areas of responsibility for this position include new course development, course revision, instructor training, and innovative technology application. The Instructional Designer works in the Instructional Design Unit and reports to the Senior Instructional Designer. The University of Wisconsin Colleges Online office is located in Madison, Wisconsin. While physical presence is preferred, candidates interested in telecommuting from their place of residence are welcome to apply. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly motivated team and a dynamic program as it grows and expands into the future to meet student needs.
Required Duties
- 35% New Course Development
- Work collaboratively with UW Colleges instructors to design and develop new online courses for the UW Colleges Online program
- Ensure UW Colleges Online course design standards and industry-wide best practices are incorporated into new course developments
- Design and develop online courses using Web production software and Desire to Learn (D2L) courseware
- Incorporate effective pedagogical approaches based on applicable learning theories, best practices in online instruction, and instructor preferences
- Evaluate the effectiveness of new courses and use student and instructor feedback to make course improvements
- Work collaboratively with UW Colleges instructors to design and develop new online courses for the UW Colleges Online program
- 35% Course Revision
- Work collaboratively with UW Colleges instructors to revise online courses
- Ensure UW Colleges Online course design standards and industry-wide best practices are incorporated into revisions
- Revise online courses using Web production software and Desire to Learn (D2L) courseware
- Collect data from course evaluations, student performance data, and other relevant data and use to inform revisions
- Evaluate the effectiveness of course revisions and continue to use student and instructor feedback to make course improvements
- Work collaboratively with UW Colleges instructors to revise online courses
- 10% Instructor Training
- Participate in program-wide new instructor orientation
- Provide new and continuing instructor training as needed to launch new and/or newly revised courses
- Assist in the development of innovative forms of new and continuing instructor training
- If located in Madison be prepared to travel to UW Colleges campuses for training purposes when necessary or if telecommuting be prepared to use appropriate technological tools to conduct training.
- Develop resources and training materials and identify resources for instructors to obtain training assistance from sources within and outside of UW Colleges
- Participate in program-wide new instructor orientation
- 10% Innovative Technology Application
- Keep abreast of new technologies being used to enhance student engagement in online courses
- Pilot promising technologies in online courses, collect student and instructor feedback and evaluate the results and make recommendations regarding adoption or discontinuation
- Support instructors in their use of new technologies as appropriate
- Do presentations/demonstrations introducing promising technologies to UW Colleges Online staff, instructors, and students
- Keep abreast of new technologies being used to enhance student engagement in online courses
- 5% Instructor Support
- Provide support for instructors teaching online courses
- Assist instructors having difficulty using D2L or direct them to appropriate IT support if needed
- Anticipate common live support needs by publishing tutorials or frequently asked questions for instructors to access for self-help
- 5% Other Duties
- Participate in meetings with the UW Colleges, Central IT, D2L groups, University of Wisconsin Extension Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning and with other organizations and groups as appropriate to advance the quality of instructional design
- Prepare reports on instructional design activities for the UW Colleges Online team and regularly attend UW Colleges Online team meetings and strategic planning sessions
- Participate in professional development activities within and outside of UW Colleges.
- Other duties as assigned
- Participate in meetings with the UW Colleges, Central IT, D2L groups, University of Wisconsin Extension Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning and with other organizations and groups as appropriate to advance the quality of instructional design
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of learning theories and the demonstrated ability to translate these into effective online instruction
- Knowledge of instructional design models and the ability to implement them
- Excellent consultative skills in working with instructors to design and develop online courses
- Ability to design, develop, and deliver effective online instructor training
- Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Knowledge of Windows operating system and Microsoft Office software
- Working knowledge of D2L or similar courseware
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of HTML coding
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to think clearly, creatively and logically to solve problems.
- Ability to work well with supervisors, coworkers, and other members of the University community
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Qualifications (required)
- Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology or related field
- Experience developing online courses using a learning management system
- A commitment to online learning and higher education
Qualifications (preferred)
- Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology or closely related field
- Two to five years of experience developing for-credit, college level online courses
- Experience working in a higher education setting
- Experience working with adult students
- Experience with development tools for creating eLearning content (e.g. Flash, Camtasia, etc.)
- Teaching and/or training experience
To Apply:
Email a cover letter and resume which addresses the above qualifications to: Quin Knuteson; quin.knuteson@uwc.edu Applications will be reviewed continuously until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to David Brigham, Director of Distance Education, david.brigham@uwc.edu; 608 265-0659.
In accordance with Wisconsin’s open records law we are required to provide, upon request, a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing that their identities remain confidential. The names and titles of all finalists for the position must be disclosed upon request. The form to request confidentiality is available at http://www.uwc.edu/jobs
The University of Wisconsin Colleges is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution committed to diversity and inclusiveness among its employees and in its programs, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities and persons with disabilities. It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment.
A criminal records review will be conducted for final candidates. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the University does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record. Convictions and pending charges will be considered only if they are substantially related to the circumstances of this position.
Employment is contingent on establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.