ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.
The Instructional Design Specialist will partner with faculty/subject matter experts to develop online courses including engaging learning activities, appropriate educational technologies, and best practices for online adult learners.
This position is 100% remote. Travel to Dallas, Texas, may be required once per year. Candidates will be expected to be available and on camera for meetings during business hours in Central Standard time zone.
Basic Responsibilities
- Develop course curriculum in partnership with subject matter experts (SMEs)
- Provide project management oversight ensuring timely execution of deliverables
- Support the delivery of the course products in the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
Essential Duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
- Develop course curriculum in partnership with subject matter experts (SMEs)
- Assisting in the alignment of objectives, activities, and assessments
- Providing guidance in developing a course engineered for an online learning environment and intended for adult learners
- Assisting in the construction of learning experiences that include analysis of the audience, environment, objectives, content, technologies, etc.
- Advising on considerations for content design, including readability, potential for learner engagement, opportunities for reflection, and fit with course outcomes and objectives
- Designing effective and meaningful instruction based on specified pedagogical and conceptual frameworks, current trends, and using a variety of media, technologies, and learning strategies
- Remaining aware of all emerging instructional design best practices and making recommendations to continue to offer the best learning experience possible.
- Provide project management oversight, utilizing the Monday.com project management system.
- Serving as the project manager for course development, defining and aligning with scope, ensuring that course development timelines are met, project progress is monitored, and issues are escalated appropriately
- Hosting meetings between key stakeholders for alignment across divisions
- Collaborate with directors of online programs to support the needs of program-wide course development and new program launches
- Design and develop resource courses such as dissertation workspaces, capstone courses, etc.
- Recommend changes to existing courses, including technology or instructional methods, to ensure courses align with ACU academic quality standards
- Support the delivery of the course products in the Learning Management System (LMS)
- Ensure all specifications for course assets needing to be developed are complete and clearly communicated
- Follow ACU course development guidelines, build guidelines, and course standards
- Develop and maintain syllabi using the Concourse syllabus management system
Professional Development Requirements:
- Knowledge of instructional design theories and practices
- Experience with content creation tools. Experience with Articulate is strongly preferred.
- Experience in curriculum development
- Experience building courses in Canvas (LMS)
- Experience using Google Suite Products such as Google Docs
- Strongly prefer experience using project management tools such as Monday.com or similar software
Qualifications:
Professional
- Two years of experience in developing asynchronous online courses
- Master’s degree in instructional design or related field is required.
- Outstanding organizational, problem-solving, customer service, presentation, and project management skills
Physical
- Activities performed require extended periods of using a computer and sitting at a desk.
ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.
ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in instructional design or related field
- Two years of experience developing asynchronous online courses
- Experience building courses in Canvas (LMS)
- Knowledge of instructional design theories and practices
- Experience with content creation tools (Articulate strongly preferred)
- Experience using Google Suite products such as Google Docs
- Experience with project management tools (Monday.com or similar)
- Ability to develop and maintain syllabi using Concourse syllabus management system
- Outstanding organizational, problem-solving, customer service, presentation, and project management skills
- Must be a professing Christian and willing to support the Christian mission of ACU
- Available and on camera for meetings during Central Standard Time business hours
What We Do
Abilene Christian University is a private, comprehensive Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It educates approximately 6,700 students annually from across the United States and 42 nations, offering undergraduate, master's, specialist, and doctoral programs. Its mission centers on preparing Christ-centered, global leaders through broad academic offerings, including more than 175 undergraduate areas of study and extensive graduate education across online and residential formats.
