The IIE (Pty) Ltd is the registered higher education provider offered through the following educational sites of delivery: IIE Varsity College, IIE Vega, IIE MSA and IIE Rosebank College. The Independent Institute of Education’s Central Academic Team is responsible for the academic leadership and governance of the work done at the site of delivery while each site is managed as a business entity by its own divisional management team.
This position is within the central IIE academic team. The IIE, as a registered provider has ultimate responsibility for registration, curriculum, delivery, assessment, and certification of all education on these sites of delivery as well as for relationships with external partners particularly in the regulatory and accreditation arena.
The IIE operates through seven faculties and has established academic operations, compliance, and academic leadership infrastructure and processes.
The IIE’s Central Academic Team has a vacancy for a Learning Experience Designer - Freelancing
A Learning Experience Designer (LXD) is dedicated to crafting impactful and engaging online learning experiences by applying best practices in instructional design, user experience (UX), and pedagogy. This role involves assessing the needs of the teaching and learning team, illuminating learning objectives, and developing educational content and activities that foster effective online learning. LXDs employ various multimedia tools, technologies, and interactive elements to enhance the learning experience, ensuring accessibility and engagement. They collaborate closely with the teaching and learning team, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to tailor learning solutions that align with professional development goals, with the aim to improve lecturer outcomes and satisfaction with the online content.
Level and Scope of Responsibility:
Delivery of short-learning programmes (SLP)
Ensure all allocated Learning Management System (LMS) modules are developed as per the IIE professional development framework & requirements.
- Manage allocated SLPs according to agreed timelines and quality standards.
- Provide progress reports.
- Follow quality assurance (QA) processes ensuring development is appropriate and relevant
- Provide constructive feedback to and support independent contractors (ICs) and external partners.
- Work closely with relevant Central Academic Team (CAT) members.
Quality Assurance
Ensure quality standards are met which includes but is not limited to ensuring alignment with objectives and the implementation of highly engaging, effective and appropriate modules on the LMS.
- Provide progress reports.
- Apply best practise in instructional design.
- Develop own skills and competencies in that regard visibly and deliberately on an ongoing basis.
Supporting stakeholders
Liaise and support teaching and learning team and content developers to ensure that Content Development Plan (CDP) are developed accordingly and approved timeously.
- Assist and support teaching and learning team during the review and sign-off of modules on the LMS.
- Ensure that external learning designers and other partners are properly briefed, supported and managed to delivery.
- Support the training of staff by quality assuring and co-developing appropriate training interventions.
Professional development, research and improvement strategies
- Conduct research for internal or external output, preferably related to strategic imperatives of the Teaching and Learning Centre.
- Apply research, reflection, and/or other methods to improve the strategic value proposition for SLPs on the LMS.
- Pursue personal professional development that will strengthen the strategic value of the Learning and Design team.
- Collaborate with the senior learning designers and other designers to improve lecturer engagement and experience on the LMS through action-based introspection and/or research.
Administration and Governance
- Ensure that all LMS materials comply with policy, regulatory & legal requirements (incl. copyright) and that all issues are addressed where required
Qualifications:
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Minimum of Honours degree level qualification (or a recognized equivalent thereof) in educational technology, instructional design or a related field.
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Masters level qualification in education, educational technology, instructional design or a related filed is preferred.
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Certification with a recognized Learning Management System provider (i.e. Brightspace, Moodle, etc.) and/or evidence about professional development in Digital Content Design.
Experience:
Candidate should have a minimum of 3+ years experience in the following fields:
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Online Course Design: Create and design engaging and interactive online course content that align with learning objectives and academic standards for a hybrid mode of delivery to meet design requirements per modality. Ensure that online materials meet accessibility standards and are inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities.
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Education technologies Integration: Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, animations, and interactive elements to enrich content and engagement
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Best Practices: Applying best learning design principles and practices in courseware development aligned with in the teaching and learning strategies.
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Project Management: tracking and management of the content development process, ensuring delivery of course content is timeous with the required quality.
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Interactive Learning Activities: Design and implement interactive learning activities including the integration of emerging educational technologies and tools to enhance the online learning experience.
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Collaboration with stakeholders: Work closely with faculty and subject matter experts (SMEs) and learning technologists to ensure content accuracy and relevance.
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Professional Development: Provide training and support to faculty, SMEs and other stakeholders on best practices for designing and delivering online courses and utilizing educational technologies.
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Quality Assurance: Conduct quality checks to ensure online courses meet institutional standards and provide a high-quality learning experience.
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Research and Innovation: Engage in research on trends and best practices in online learning and apply innovative approaches to course design.
Competencies:
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Experience in skill development, with a strong background in implementing best practices for the adoption and use of educational technologies in teaching and learning environment as well as good practice of learning design.
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Ability to create online materials that meet defined design specifications.
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Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS), particularly Brightspace, is an advantage.
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Project management.
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Experience collaborating with academics in a higher education setting is preferred and advantageous.
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Developing materials for and providing support to users of an LMS (preferably Brightspace) will be advantageous.
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Proven ability to work constructively as part of a team, display initiative and work strategically and independently with limited supervision.
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Design and implement skills development initiatives (such as self-help modules, online webinars, and in-person workshops) for academic staff on the use of educational technologies.
