Learning Technologist - Fixed Term

Job Posting Title: Learning Technologist - Fixed Term

Salary: Grade 7 £36,023.00 - £44,263.00

Working Pattern: 35 hours weekly, hybrid role

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days plus 9 buildings closed days

Organisation: Information Services - Learner and Academic Services

Contract: Ending December 2024 from start date

Purpose of Role:

Learning technologists are key members of Learning and Teaching Enhancement Services within Learner and Academic Division and confidently use their pedagogical expertise, technical skills and training abilities to support staff and students in their use of the Virtual Learning Environment and digital technologies.

Our team of Learning Technologists are pro-active and passionate about digital education. They use their outstanding communication, pedagogical, technical skills and experience to help shape and deliver an outstanding staff and student experience for all at Heriot-Watt University.

This role reports to the LTES Manager and will focus on supporting the delivery of digital education advice, support and training to academic staff and students across our global campuses.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively supporting HWU Strategy 2025, using initiative and a collaborative approach to help shape and implement a new approach to digital education
• Working with HWU staff and students to design and implement features to support our institutional needs e.g. course rollover process, housekeeping, operational support and course management across multiple campuses
• Working with HWU academic staff to support the design and construction of online and blended courses across our spectrum of programmes and levels within a tight timeframe
• Support the design of the interface to ensure institutional consistency and a user friendly interface for students and staff
• Supporting the Management of the Virtual Learning Environment
• Working with HWU staff to design and produce digital learning assets such as quizzes, videos and podcasts within agreed timescales
• Creation of training content for the VLE and other technologies as required and delivery of training to staff and students
• Actively maintaining a good understanding of practice and research in online and blended learning
• Engaging with colleagues throughout the University to share knowledge on technology and digital education, such as participation in special interest groups

Education, Qualifications & Experience:

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made

Essential

• Educated to first degree level or equivalent
• Competent user of VLEs in the role of learning designer, using multimedia and web skills to create resources and graphics
• Proven Learning Technologist experience in Higher Education
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant legal, statutory and governance requirements in relation to digital education and ensuring they are reflected in practice to comply with accessibility, equality and copyright legislation for online and blended learning
• Experience of working with subject-matter experts to design innovative credit bearing online course materials that are used in multiple modes of study
• Experience of advising or supporting subject-matter experts in their use of learning technologies and delivering high standards of service at all times
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills coupled with the ability to understand and communicate complex issues effectively with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation
• Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
• Ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively with high attention to detail
• High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team with a professional and proactive approach

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in digital education or related subject
• Certified Membership of the Association of Learning Technologies (CMALT) accreditation
• A teaching qualification
• HEA fellowship e.g. associate fellow (AFHEA)
• Experience of working to support STEM programmes of study
• Experience in using a range of content authoring tools
• Experience of any of the following, Latex, Linux, Coding
• Experience working in a diverse and multicultural environment

This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade.

About our Division

Learner and Academic Services

Learner and Academic Services comprises teams of staff responsible for delivering a range of excellent academic and learner support services, at all campuses and for all students regardless of mode of study, to support delivery of Strategy 2025. Through the work of the LTES (Learning and Teaching Enhancement Services) team LAS develops, creates, coordinates and deliver global enhancements of/to the online capabilities/digital knowledge/aptitudes in both our academics, professional services staff and students, resulting in enhanced digital resources and environments. Aligning technology, systems and spaces to support learning & teaching ambitions.

Teams within LAS comprise:

• Integrated specialist services to support HWU Digital Education ambitions comprising: learning technology design, IT training, effective learner advice, learning technologists, VLE development; AV support services, media production.
• Student and staff skills development.  
• Academic librarian services/Effective Learning services, including support for all campus libraries. 

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday, 7th April 2024

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs : so employers get work-ready industry-fit graduates.

Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

We have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership, and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities.