Educational Technology Specialist

Educational Technology Specialist

Educational technology is the practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources to improve education. It is a systematic, iterative process for designing instruction or training used to improve performance and typically involves the integration of technology into education in a positive manner in order to promote more diverse learning. Educational technology is sometimes also known as instructional technology or learning technology.

As a member of AMIDEAST’s IT Department, the educational technology specialist manages the AMIDEAST e-learning infrastructure and assists managers, instructors, students and admin staff at country offices in the use of educational technologies to support and enhance teaching, learning and collaboration. This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic individual with a background in education and expertise in the use of technology to facilitate education and training by leveraging the latest web-based innovations to enhance teaching and improve student learning. This position is available to residents of the Middle East & North Africa. Residence in Amman, Jordan is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide direct support to field office managers, local admin staff, instructors and students in the use of the AMIDEAST Moodle learning management system (LMS), its BigBlueButton (BBB) and Jitsi virtual classroom platforms and other related e-learning educational technologies such as Google classroom and Google Meet

· Manage and maintain the AMIDEAST educational technology infrastructure to include, but not be limited to, its Moodle LMS and BBB web platforms for facilitating the delivery of instruction and training via online and blended training courses and workshops, including the following:

o Design, implement, and test courseware based on requirements and specifications

o Conduct courseware walkthroughs, beta testing, and final acceptance testing

o Perform valuation, acquisition, installation, configuration, and testing of plugins and supporting tools

o Work with service providers and third-party vendors when needed

o Create and manage user accounts, passwords and role configuration and assignment

o Provide user support and serve as first-level responder for customer service inquiries

· Assist local field staff and instructors with identifying and using LMS features most appropriate for their online courses and blended components of AMIDEAST’s face-to-face, flipped and hybrid courses

· Assess, recommend, and install courseware packages, and tools to fulfil AMIDEAST’s educational goals

· Develop and conduct hands-on training related to e-learning tools and platforms for groups and individuals via web-based training sessions, workshops and consultations

· Prepare training documentation in the form of demonstration recordings and instructional documents that show LMS and BBB users how to effectively use these platforms to teach

· Assist relevant staff members in launching, managing and maintaining the AMIDEAST Online LMS and BBB virtual classroom at AMIDEAST field offices

· Provide guidance and advice on the appropriate integration of educational technology into existing or new training programs, including participation in program/proposal development

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

*Required qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in the field of Education, Technology, or related field

· A minimum of three years as an educational technologist or instructional designer

· Experience as an instructor or teaching assistance, preferably mentoring instructors, and staff in using technology for teaching and learning

· Demonstrated experience in Moodle administration, customization, and design in an enterprise environment

· Practical hands-on experience as a student or instructor using resources typically available on an LMS

· Familiarity with and experience using the following technologies:

o Web conferencing systems such as Blackboard Collaborate, BigBlueButton, Skype, Jitsi or Microsoft Teams

o Audio/video cataloguing and streaming services such as YouTube, Vimeo and/or Kaltura

o Content development software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Articulate, Camtasia and iSpring; Microsoft Office

o Social media tools such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Blogs

o Google G-Suite for education or non-profits

· Strong knowledge of security requirements and best practices relevant to e-learning platforms

· Experience working with diverse communities of people using web-based resources

· Steadfast commitment to providing friendly customer service to clients and to following up promptly with them

· Responsible, reliable, with self-directed motivation and a positive can-do attitude; collaborative and flexible in a fast-paced dynamic digital work environment

Preferred Qualifications

· Master’s degree in Educational Technology, or a related field

· Experience in English language or other language teaching

· Recent experience using e-learning authoring tools

· Working knowledge of HTML, HTML5, PHP, CSS, JavaScript and SQL queries