Instructional Designer Jobs

Position Job Title:Instructional Designer

Location:Niagara Falls, ON (Onsite)

Reports to: Director, Centre for Teaching Excellence

About University Niagara Falls Canada

The University of Niagara Falls Canada(UNF), Ontario’s newest university set to open its doors in 2024, will be offering a host of distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare graduates to be leaders in a digital world through a host of innovative undergraduate and graduate programs and research. Our programs are designed to promote a digital mindset characterized by digital fluency – a combination of technical proficiency, literacy, ethics and communication – and by a growth mindset that is future-focused, collaborative, change-oriented and disposed toward continuous learning.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada is a subsidiary of GUS Canada and part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network. GUS is one of the largest education groups in the world; offering accredited bachelor's, master's, medical and law degree programs, vocational and professional qualifications, and language courses to approximately 100,000 students globally. GUS Canada has successfully introduced many innovative post-secondary institutions to communities across the country over the past decade, including University Canada West (Vancouver), the Canadian College of Technology and Business (Vancouver), the Toronto School of Management (Toronto), the Trebas Institute (Toronto and Montreal), and The Language Gallery (Vancouver and Toronto).

Primary Purpose

The Instructional Designer reports to the Director of the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and supports faculty, curriculum developers and/or senior instructional designers at the Centre by designing and developing instructional materials for multi-modal delivery. They are responsible for improving the quality of existing educational materials by visually enhancing educational content and making them inclusive and interactive for learners. The successful applicant must be able to implement creative visual designs such as motion design, infographics, and storylines, as well as presentations for different interactive educational materials such as workshops, flyers, brochures, handouts, and tutorials. The incumbent is accountable for designing and developing CTE’s micro-credential courses, workshops, and course shells.

In addition, the Instructional Designer develops course content by applying engaging approaches such as gamification and simulations, as well as by using interactive platforms such as Articulate Rise, Articulate 360 and Storyline. They should also enhance navigation through course content via the application of visually engaging infographics, transitions, motion designs and dynamic interactions. Additionally, the Instructional Designer needs to support SMEs in developing educational materials using software applications and design tools such as Canva, Figma, Adobe Cloud Software, etc., to promote visual communication and enhance student engagement. They will moreover need to consult SMEs to determine the effectiveness of their course design and/or instructional materials.

Specific Responsibilities

• Promote CTE services by designing brochures, newsletters, booklets, webpages, and tutorials.
• Support Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in developing eLearning storyboards, using creative eLearning designs.
• · Use instructional strategies such as gamification, simulations, case studies, jigsaw activities, etc. and visually and cognitively engaging platforms when developing course content and/or micro-credentials to enhance student learning.
• Develops course templates within the LMS for multi-modal delivery.
• Develop a range of digital resources to optimize collaborative learning and ensure ongoing education outside of formal settings.
• Monitor the current graphic and illustration design tools, educational trends and practices, and apply the findings to instructional design practices.
• Recommend possible course design improvements to enhance navigation through course content, applying visually engaging elements such as infographics.
• Organize and archive existing visual elements, designs and instructional materials for future reference or use.
• Support faculty in building the components of a course and developing digital content using an appropriate visual media format.
• Assist faculty and SMEs in developing their instructional materials, using visual and creative designs by applying different platforms such as Canva, Figma, graphic design software, Illustrator, etc.
• Develop, design, support, and facilitate, when required, workshops, learning sessions, and CTE program offerings

Decision making

• Determine the best tools and applications for an effective teaching and learning environment.
• Decide when intervention or support is needed to meet completion deadlines, involving others as required.
• Recommend appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines in support of course development and delivery.
• Determine methods to employ in the analysis, synthesis, and clarification of information.
• Determine alternate design strategies if copyright issues are restrictive to use.
• Make recommendations to improve the structure and quality of courses on the basis of evidence-based practices and feedback from students and/or instructors.
• Determine content, format, and delivery of workshops.

Position Requirements

Competencies:

• Certification in Instructional Design and proficiency in design software.
• Demonstrated ability in designing and developing creative and interactive animated content and motion diagrams.
• Knowledge of technology supports for teaching and learning, such as web-conferencing, podcasting, authoring tools, etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Strong written, oral, and digital communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and ability to develop professional, illustrated and educational newsletters, flyers, brochures.
• Experience in developing technology-enhanced learning activities, resources, and assessments using interactive educational tools.
• Ability to implement learning activities/tasks, build assessment mechanisms, and develop digital content from source materials.
• Proficiency in Graphic Design and use of design software with the ability to create visually engaging and user-friendly materials and demonstrated experience with transitions, animation, motion design and dynamic interactions
• Exceptional computer knowledge and skills with the ability to design engaging & inclusive materials and presentations.
• Proficiency in using Learning Management Systems such as Brightspace or Moodle.
• Self-starter with the ability to work both independently with no or minimal supervision and collaboratively with a teamwork spirit.

To apply, please attach yourcover letter and resume in a single document.

We greatly appreciate your time and efforts in applying for the position at University of Niagara Falls (UNF), however, please note only successful candidates will be contacted.