J.

Harris EDTECH 503 ID Job Posting

Part 1: Synthesis Design with Fictitious Learning Company!

Position: Instructional Designer The position of Instructional Designer at Fictitious Learning Company asks the professional to assess, design, develop, implement, evaluate, and test courses based on the collaborative knowledge of various field experts. Our clients send experts from a course work field (e.g. science, literacy, math), as well as a series of learning goals for the target audience. The Instructional Designer is expected to meet with the experts provided and use systematic instructional design techniques to create online self-paced and/or blended learning environments in various formats. The candidate will: Collaborates with experts in a given field to develop online learning environments in their subject area with specific learning goal criteria Participates and documents all phases of design process including analysis, development, design, and evaluation. Analyzes and assesses learning needs and target audience Analyzes and determines what learning system, strategies, and platform will be most effective for the delivery of clients subject matter Develops educational materials that are systematic in nature according to results of learner analysis and requests of the client Designs appropriate learning materials using web technologies that are effective, innovative, and engaging Implements materials via an appropriate learning platform for both self-paced and blended learning environments Creates evaluations that will provide feedback related to learning achievement goals and course revisions Tests and revises instructional materials as instructional/training necessities evolve Demonstrates willingness to test and pilot new programs Collaborates with team members when assigned to a task force Engages learners in authentic learning experiences and develops programs that ask the learner to use critical thinking skills Required Background: Undergraduate or Graduate degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field Instructional Design Experience Knowledge of ADDIE based instructional design models Experience with online course development software and platforms Knowledge of age appropriate learning theories and best practices Desired Qualities: Self-initiates projects and makes decisions without direct supervision Ability to learn new skills related to distance learning, online and web applications Experience with Adobe products, Blackboard and/or Moodle Participates in the delivery and instruction of online courses as needed

J. Harris EDTECH 503 ID Job Posting

Part 2: Reflection
Teachers are expected to do several things that instructional designers are not. The teacher may be expected to deal with logistical and administrative tasks not associated with learning such as attendance, lunch count, and safety of individuals. Teachers are expected to deliver specific instruction based on standards and benchmarks in their expert area. Instructional designers are neither expected to deliver instruction, nor are they required to be experts in content, though they must be proficient through their research to meet the needs of learners. As a music teacher Im not expected to deliver the instruction of science materials. This would be foolish as it is not my area of expertise and students would not be submersed in best content and practices for that subject. Additionally, I must be proficient in all things music so that I can dispense knowledge at any time. Instructional designers may develop instruction for many different areas, many of which they may have little or no expertise in. Instructional designers are led by learning goals often determined by an outside party, and experts and research to help design plans. It is up to the instructional designer to understand learning goals and develop appropriate content. Teachers are also required to communicate whether or not a learner has achieved the learning goals to stakeholders, where the instructional designer creates ways to assess and evaluate learning that can be used by the teacher. Instructional designers also have other expectations not found in the realm of teaching. Instructional designers are asked to first use analysis to determine if instruction is actually necessary. If the needs analysis for my learners determines that district teachers can already collaborate using Google Docs, or my students can already read music, then many resources are wasted if I design a Google Docs or note reading course using instructional design techniques. As a music teacher, the necessity to teach music is already predetermined by my district and much of society. Another related aspect of instructional design that is different from teaching, is the immense amount of documentation often required when planning, developing, and designing the instruction. This, again, differentiates instructional designers from teachers because the teacher is the expert and is not required to defend or justify reasons for instruction. The instructional designers job is often not to determine what to teach, but rather determine the most effective way to deliver instruction and create tools to assess and evaluate the learning goals. Additionally, instructional designers may never see or communicate with the learners. There are three main differences between instructional designers and teacher. The first, and greatest difference between a teacher and an instructional designer is the designer does not deliver the content, and if she does then she is taking on dual roles. As a designer for instructing learners on the use of Google Docs, I will be able to finish and test my end product and send it to another district or company for their own implementation. I do not have to be present for the learning to occur, however, the users will need a person to implement the instruction, a teacher. The second difference is that the teacher continuously analyzes learners for understanding throughout the learning process and adapts instruction to fit the continuing and varying needs of the learners. In this difference, the instructional designer must analyze the learner pre-learning and include enough information and instruction to insure their is enough content for all learners to develop the thinking skills necessary to achieve learning goals. If I design an online course in rhythm reading, I must provide enough rhythmic experiences for all learners to reach the target goal. When I teach a course in rhythm reading I am able to adapt my instruction as I see fit and move more slowly or quickly depending on my continual analysis and assessment. The final difference between instructional designer and teacher, is that designers develop the means to learn, assess, and evaluate, where teachers are users and interpreters of the assessment and evaluation tools provided by the designer.

J. Harris EDTECH 503 ID Job Posting

Part 3: Job Posting URLs

Johnston, Iowa AEA - goo.gl/E2pl7 University of South Florida - goo.gl/zR7nB Childrens Medical Center of Dallas - http://www.applyhr.com/24342880