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COMMON JOB DUTIES
Develop and coordinate the
implementation of curricula
Assess student needs and discuss the
implementation of appropriate
pedagogical strategies with teachers
or clients
Review and recommend textbooks,
guides, and other educational
materials
Recommend teaching techniques and
the use of various technologies
Plan, organize, and conduct client or
employee trainings
Analyze student data and test scores
to assess learning
Train teachers and other instructional
staff in new content or programs
Mentor or coach teachers to improve
their skills
Adapted from the Bureau of Labor Statistics “What
Instructional Coordinators Do,” 2017.
COMMON REQUIRED SKILLS
Teaching skills, especially the ability to
design and execute curricula
Strong curiosity and an ability to quickly
learn new things
Excellent written and oral communication
skills
Strong project management skills
Strong problem solving skills
Some visual design skills
Ability to work independently as well as
collaboratively with others
Knack for building relationships with
teachers or clients
Knowledge of or willingness to learn
course development applications & tools
(e.g. Lectora Inspire, Articulate Storyline)
Working knowledge of WebEx or other
tools used for synchronous learning
Familiarity with MS Word, Excel,
PowerPoint
HOW DO GRADUATE SKILLS TRANSLATE TO INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN?
Instructional design is a great fit for advanced-degree candidates, especially Ph.D.
candidates with teaching experience. Your background in course design, syllabus
development, and instructional technology puts you on solid footing toward this career.
The best-positioned candidates have a broad range of teaching experiences and
pedagogical practices. They have used technology in the classroom, and they are familiar
with blended teaching environments and course management tools such as Canvas or
Blackboard. They are also good at analyzing student needs, clarifying learning goals, and
selecting appropriate learning tools or methods.
Beyond teaching, advanced-degree candidates bring several other useful skills and habits
of mind to instructional design. As a result of having to throw yourself into new subjects
and quickly get up to speed, you are likely good at learning new things. This will be an
asset when working with clients or professors to design learning materials for subjects in
which you are a novice. Because you’ve managed complex research projects, you have
experience with problem solving, communication, and project management.