Corporate e-Learning Jobs, Instructional Design Jobs

Corporate e-Learning Jobs

If you are interested in corporate e-learning jobs, there are some basic skills and resources that you should have in order to enhance your search and opportunities. Also remember that some descriptions and listings refer to instructional design jobs.

Conducting research, analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation (ADDIE) throughout the project life cycle is what forms the basis of the job description of a corporate instructional designer regardless of the company whether the project has medium or high level complexity. In addition to having a good background in instructional design models, learning theories, and adult learning principles. Many employers will look for specific skills set that match their organization's vision and mission. Depending on your position, some employees with corporate e-learning jobs are responsible for attending to any or all of the following responsibilities and duties. Be sure to highlight those on in your cover letter and also update your resume depending on the type of job you are looking for.

There are a few universities that offer degrees leading to training. The Training and Performance Improvement specializations are designed to help you combine practice with theory and advanced skills in critical thinking, research, and problem solving. To prepare for corporate e-learning jobs, some available programs include:

Ashford University: M. A. in Teaching and Learning with Technology
Capella University: M. S. in Education/Instructional Design; Ph.D. in Information Technology Education; Ph.D. in Education/Instructional Design

Kaplan University: M.A.T.L. in Teaching with Technology
Walden University: M. S. in Integrating Technology; Ph.D. in Educational Technology
Western Governors University: M. Ed. Learning and Technology
Univesity of Maryland: Master of Distance Education; MDE in Distance Education Teaching and Training; MDE in Distance Education Policy and Management; MDE in Distance Education Technology; MSTM in Distance Education and Technology; Master of Education

The e-learning developer creates deliverables for all phases of the course/program life cycle, and translates business goals into learning requirements whether it is for a single course or a group of courses on medium to high complexity projects. Specific tasks include:

Design and develop instructional modules that ensure mastery of learning objectives. Outputs generally include learning exercises and activities, workbooks, worksheets, instructional programs, story-boards (audio, video, and computer-based and web-based training), training manuals, job aids, assessments and tests, evaluation forms, simulations, games, case studies, training databases, and computer based training.
Identify and define gaps between ideal and actual performance and determines causes using instructional analysis, needs analysis (assessment) using techniques such as focus groups, interviews, observations, and working with subject matter experts (SMEs).
Perform testing and assessments, formative and summative evaluation.
Determine appropriate instruction strategies to meet organizational and learning objectives. This may include activities that require cost benefit analysis, determination of appropriate training technology and presentation of project proposals and recommendations to management. A project manager or senior (lead) instructional designer may be responsible for this.
Prepare reports and assist in the development of new or less senior team members (mentoring and training). Again the project manager or senior instructional designer may be responsible for this.
Keep current with new products in corporate e-learning jobs requires technological change within and outside the organization. Advise management and pertinent staff members of training opportunities and requirements.

Many corporate e-learning jobs require a master's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Human Resource Development, Organizational Behavior and Development, Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Alternately potential candidates are eligible if they have experience in a related field with several years work experience.

Some job descriptions require travel depending on the specific tasks. It is common to find instructional design jobs listed as part time, or contract because once a project is over the company or training department may move onto the next project. In this case, they would more likely look for consultants. From time to time telecommute or freelance jobs, work-from-home, or virtual jobs may be ideal for those seeking flexibility and companies looking for short-term employees.

Try conducting a job search using the suggested keywords above when searching for corporate e-learning jobs. Combining various titles for example instructional design jobs or instructional technology jobs, expanding and narrowing your search by location will also give you a better variety of results.

Listings in e-Learning job banks as well as other listings are updated quite frequently so it it advisable to check the sites often or have save your search criteria and have the listings delivered to you by email alert or RSS feed readers.

Resources for coporate e-learning jobs