Richard was a primary school teacher with a specialism in computing and ICT. He has very kindly written a blog for us on his personal insight into becoming a Learning Designer.
You can follow Richard on Twitter @RichardW_Dev
Learning Designer
I wish I had heard about Learning Designers earlier in my career. I spent years researching my route out of teaching. I made good use of the advice on DidTeach.com to get me started on my journey. I have finally found what I was looking for in my current role as a Learning Designer. But what does the job entail?
I work as part of a team for a University under the Directorate of Learning and Teaching. Our directorate strives to promote excellence across the institution. My time is divided between training and supporting academics with their teaching; maintaining various learning technology, and innovating new resources which could benefit our learners.
Blended Classroom
Following the pandemic, most higher education providers have now adopted a ‘blended classroom’ approach to teaching and learning, where students can attend sessions in person, or online through a virtual classroom, like Microsoft Teams. For this to work smoothly, we require a range of technology, from cameras and microphones to an online learning platform, known as a Learning Management System (or LMS). To support the blended classroom, I run training sessions (webinars, drop-ins, and group sessions) to ensure that staff across the institution know how to get the best from the technology.
Although the LMS, known as BrightSpace, was originally developed as a repository for lecturers’ PowerPoint slides, it is being used for much more than that: Our institution promotes a ‘flipped’ classroom. This is a pedagogy where educators provide wrap-around materials online. These carefully selected materials – often videos – are accessed prior to the main session so students can absorb them at their own pace. That way that the focus of the main session can be on supporting students with a learning task, rather than simply explaining things from the front of the classroom.
I really enjoy supporting the lecturers to create and curate their BrightSpace materials, ensuring that the students have a well-structured online learning experience. Each module is developed like a mini-website. This was how I found my current position: while studying a web-development course at the University.
I Love This Job
Every day is different, and I get to help people from across the university. I have a good degree of autonomy, enabling me to spend time innovating and experimenting with new ideas – I am currently researching how 3D printing and Augmented Reality can support learning and teaching.
The pay is comparable to teaching, with no evening or weekend work. The holidays are good, and I work in a modern and well-furnished office between the main library and the students’ union, so there is always something going on. But most of all, I enjoy being part of an education team, innovating, creating, supporting, and developing the young minds of our university.
If you wish to become a Learning Designer then you will need a background in education, an interest in technology, particularly audio/visual. It would also be useful to learn the basics of web-development and web-design, and show your continued commitment to innovation in online learning.
