UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Academic Developer in Technology - Enhanced Learning (TEL)School/Department: Institute for Teaching, Innovation and Learning (INSTIL)
Responsible to: Head of Technology – Enhanced Learning
Responsible for: - / Post No: INS018
Grade: 6
Location: Brentford site
SUMMARY OF MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To work closely and pro-actively with academic colleagues across the University and in close collaboration with INSTIL colleagues to support and provide leadership across the university on the use of technology in teaching and learning, and the adoption of blended and distance modes.
To work with academic and other colleagues across the University in developing course content
The post holder will have a thorough understanding of the challenges of teaching with technology in higher education, thorough knowledge of the pedagogic underpinning the effective online teaching, and a drive to enhance the curriculum through technology. S/he will display outstanding skills and strategies to motivate colleagues and course teams to implement change.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. / Develop and lead specific TEL projects to enhance the student experience of learning
2. / Provide advice, coordinate and support academic colleagues and teams across the University on the use of VLE and interactive learning technologies
3. / Promote the strategic deployment of blended learning across the curriculum
4. / Plan and provide support for programme teams on specific curriculum activities where TEL expertise is required
5. / Contribute to developing the use of e-portfolios across the University
6. / Contribute to and advise on the development of online support materials in collaboration with INSTIL colleagues and academic teams
7. / Teach on TEL INSTIL programmes
8. / Work with INSTIL and School colleagues on projects relating to the research and development of TEL.
9. / Assist with support of TEL systems users
10. / Strategically engaged in identifying priorities, monitoring and reporting on implementation of TEL across the University
11. / Work with INSTIL and School colleagues on projects relating to the research and development of TEL.
12. / Participate in INSTIL TEL projects, VLE development, and related initiatives
13. / Participate in relevant university groups and committees concerned with TEL.
14. / Keep up to date with developments and technical knowledge, with specific reference to the subjects taught in their School
15. / Evaluate and report regularly on progress to relevant committees
16. / Any other task deemed relevant and commensurate to the post
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications: / A degree (BA/BSc or equivalent) / A higher degree (MA/MSc or equivalent)
Educational technology qualification
Fellowship of the HEA
Knowledge and Experience: / Successful management and completion of TEL projects
Thorough acquaintance with current trends and practices in technology-enhanced learning
Strategic vision for taking forward institution and School-wide projects
Extensive and current HE knowledge of web and media technologies (including editing and hosting); understanding of web-design and accessibility issues, and of development and repurpose of learning objects to enhance learning
Experience of supporting academic staff in the use of Blackboard or similar platform
Substantial experience of using technology interactively in curriculum development , and classroom technology, with understanding of suitable pedagogies underpinning TEL
Extensive experience of running workshops for groups and teams of academics
Extensive experience of VLEs including Blackboard, Moodle, and of PebblePad or e-portfolio systems and Turnitin
Experience of having presented papers at conferences and/or demonstrated on approaches to blended learning nationally / Proven capability for undertaking research into TEL
External involvement in TEL higher education networks
Active involvement in researching TEL in educational settings.
Involvement in international projects/conferences
Experience of e-assessment
Specific Skills: / Ability to create Blackboard building blocks
Knowledge of programming
General Skills: / Outstanding organisational and motivational skills
High degree of written and oral fluency
Excellent interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills and the desire to work collaboratively with colleagues across Schools
Other: / Ability and desire to promote innovation
Ability to effectively communicate the advantages and constraints of today’s technologies to a non-technical audience, bridging the gap between developers and educators
Ability and willingness to work with academics in a variety of disciplines
Ability and willingness to influence and inspire academics in using TEL
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Ability to work across university sites
Essential Criteria are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage.
Desirable Criteria are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.