King’s College London is seeking a Learning Designer (LD) to support the development of a diverse portfolio of online and blended programmes and modules for the School of Security Studies, including short courses, CPD and executive education. LDs at King’s play a crucial role in shaping the learning experience of our students, working collaboratively with academics to ensure that the content is presented in a clear and memorable way, with meaningful interaction to prepare students for success on their course and in their careers. The role holder will need to be an excellent communicator who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is able to work on several projects at once, often dealing with short notice requests for content design and development.
We are looking for someone who can confidently use e-learning creation tools, especially Moodle, and who has a sound understanding of pedagogical theory and evidence. We need an effective communicator to design resources and activities that faithfully reflect our academics’ educational aims and to advise and support academics to use relevant education technology themselves, while always advocating for approaches that will maximise student learning and engagement. The role-holder will also need to work collaboratively with learning technology and administration colleagues.
The role will encompass four key areas of work, with the key focus on Learning and Instructional Design;
Learning Design
As stated above, the post holder will support the development of a diverse portfolio of online and blended programmes and modules including short courses, CPD and executive education. They will ensure the high pedagogical quality of all material that is produced.
Project Management
The post holder will be required to liaise regularly with key academic and professional services staff, freelancers and other colleagues ensuring that all aspects of a project are being delivered to a high standard and in line with project timelines.
Content Developer
The post holder will develop the content on our Moodle platform, KEATS and external platforms (e.g. EdX), and ensure it is regularly reviewed and maintained using approved quality assurance processes and meeting accessibility guidelines. Work will include but not be limited to creating media assets, inputting new information on to KEATS and ensuring the accessibility of content in line with King’s College London regulations and wider standards.
E-Learning Assistance
The post holder will ensure accuracy and inclusivity of all content by developing transcripts, subtitles and captions for all developed content. Proof reading is also a vital part of this aspect of the role.
The School of Security Studies is part of the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, and includes the Defence Studies Department, the Department of War Studies, and the King’s Institute for Applied Security Studies (KIASS). Together, we support an inclusive culture and diversity for our staff and students. We are committed to encourage further growth from diverse groups, and we look forward to welcoming applicants of all abilities, whom we are able to support with our flexible varied working practices.
This post will be offered on an indefinite contract
This is a full-time post
Key responsibilities
- Apply learning design principles for adult learners to ensure the high pedagogical quality of programmes, modules and short courses offered by the School of Security Studies.
- Work with academic leads, lecturers and other subject matter experts in a collaborative, consultative fashion, helping them adapt or create content, activities and assessment that is suitable for online learning.
- Make design choices resulting in resources and activities that are:
Effective – so that content is clear and as easy to understand and remember as possible without compromising on academic rigour
Engaging – so that students are motivated to complete courses effectively with high satisfaction.
Efficient – so that students’, faculty members’ and designers’ available time during course development and delivery is taken into account
- Develop and deliver strategies for providing support and guidance to academic staff, including on optimal use of the College’s VLE, KEATS (i.e. Moodle) and/or an external VLE (e.g. EdX), ensuring the consolidation of online learning within the School and enhancing the Student Experience.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria
- First degree in any subject (minimum 2:2 and ideally 2:1 or above or international equivalent)
- Good understanding of the Learning Designer role, and able to demonstrate how own experience is relevant to the role
- Substantial understanding and experience with application pedagogical principles of online learning for adult learners.’
- Experience with the ADDIE Model design framework (or equivalent) for course creation
- Significant experience designing and/or developing e-learning content and activities, including multimedia learning assets.
- Experience creating or managing course material in various VLEs (e.g. Moodle, EdX, etc.)
- Substantial understanding of students, academics and adult learners in Higher Education.
- High level ability to select relevant information and present complex ideas clearly and creatively in a logical, coherent way
- Excellent English language skills: able to express self accurately and effectively in both written and verbal communication
- High level ability to negotiate and communicate well with others in a higher education environment
- Excellent time management skills and experience working across multiple projects with competing deadlines.
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate degree or qualification in a relevant discipline in Education, Learning Design or similar, with pedagogy and learning technologies as a substantial part; alternatively equivalent level of experience in HE e-Learning field
- High level presentation skills
- Experience working in a higher education environment
- Experience with audio-visual elements, from design and recording to editing and implementation
Further Information
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.
We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King’s.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.
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