Online Learning Consultant

Term: 18 Months

The Online Learning Consultant (OLC) project manages course and program development, Extended Learning projects, and in certain cases University or external projects. In the case of course or program development, the OLC is the project lead and is responsible for the timely completion of projects. They work with course author (typically a faculty member) to establish project milestones based on the expected delivery date of the course, and then ensure that faculty provide the requisite raw course materials on time and that Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) staff are completing production work. While the OLC has authority internally, they work in partnership with the author, and exercise no management authority in that relationship.

Responsibilities

Instructional Design and Development

• Works with faculty to help design and develop online courses; either helping design new courses or translating existing courses to an online environment
• Applies expertise in pedagogy and e-learning to advise faculty on the creation of effective learning outcomes, online teaching strategies, learning activities and tasks, and assessment strategies
• Determines instructor, student and program needs; design constraints; resources limitations, etc., and factor these into the course design
• Determines the development model that corresponds best to varying degrees of author involvement in the course development and instructor involvement in course offer
• Assists curriculum committees in the case of online programs (e.g., Online Master’s) to help guide program development
• Assesses course design against the Online Learning Quality Guidelines
• Consults on modifications required in subsequent offers of the course

Project Management

• Responsible for the effective functioning of the project team (faculty, OLC, developer, and LMS/QA specialist) during development
• Primary liaison between the team and CEL, and the faculty member and other stakeholders during development
• Coordinates all necessary project team meetings
• Develops a project timeline with specific milestones for the completion of the online course that includes deliverables for faculty, developer, and other team members
• Coaches the Digital Instructional Media Developers as they interpret and produce the online course content
• Updates the Senior Learning Design Manager (and other internal and external stakeholders) on project progress, and proactively informs them of issues or potential delays

Research and Evaluation

• Continually monitors research in teaching and learning, and online learning in particular, to inform/refine evidence-based practices related to course design and delivery
• Conducts research on course effectiveness; helps design instruments to evaluate course and course elements; reviews results with faculty
• Partners with faculty on research projects when appropriate and helps design studies
• Acts as the principle investigator (PI) in research projects sanctioned by Office of Research Ethics (designs study, applies for ethics approval, etc.)
• Analyzes data received from all evaluations and make recommendations to the Associate Director and/or instructor, as appropriate, about possible improvements
• Supervises research assistants when applicable
• Conducts accessibility and usability testing of courses

Consulting and Faculty Development

• Develops learning opportunities for faculty, sessionals, TAs and staff related to online learning; independently or in conjunction with internal or external partners
• Consults with other departments on campus on issues that directly or indirectly relate to onlinelearning (e.g., Centre for Teaching Excellence, Office of Academic Integrity, etc.)
• Advises faculty and instructors on effective practices in online teaching and learning
• Contribution to University of Waterloo and Higher Education Communities
• Creates and helps maintain online instructor resources on designing and developing online courses
• Participate in discussions with peers within the university to share knowledge and gain further understanding of the university learning culture and issues
• Contributes to local and international conferences on teaching and learning
• Designs and conducts webinars for various external associations

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in instructional design, instructional technology, adult education or a related field with 1-2 years’ experience in a related role; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience applying sound pedagogical design in online learning at the post-secondary level. A STEM specialist would have both experience in online learning and a degree in mathematics, science, and/or engineering
• Experience providing instructional design guidance to a faculty in a mentoring or development role
• Teaching and Facilitating online instruction would be an asset
• Strong project management skills and experience; able to successfully lead projects and teams
• Experience with the effective application of a learning management system (LMS) and other eLearning technologies; experience with Brightspace/LEARN and other educational technologies at Waterloo an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team

Vaccination Requirement Statement

All employees and students of the University of Waterloo are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or have an approved accommodation, in order to come to campus. You can provide proof of vaccination or apply for an accommodation on our Campus Check-in website. For more information, please refer to the University of Waterloo website: Vaccination Requirement.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.