Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton.
This competition will be used to fill up to two positions.
Online Learning & Continuing Education (OCE) is a central U of A service unit that partners with colleges, faculties, and external partners to develop and deliver online courses, programs, and non-credit micro-credentials. The Online Learning team supports the development and delivery of high-demand online courses and programming, such as graduate certificates and course-based master's. The team provides extensive expertise to elevate the quality and accessibility of online programming at the U of A.
The Learning Experience Developer is an enthusiastic online course developer with a strong focus on the creation of enriched multimedia to drive engaging learning experiences at the University of Alberta. As a team member of Online Learning and Continuing Education (OCE), the Learning Experience Developer works closely with Instructional Designers and the Project Manager on each new digital project. Using best practices for online learning, including accessibility, indigenization, and inclusivity, the incumbent will produce high-quality digital courses and assets that are learner-centric, engaging, and impactful.
The Learning Experience Developer will build and produce graduate and undergraduate credit or non-credit courses in the online environment. This is a hands-on course production role requiring proficiency in coding with HTML and inline CSS directly in the Canvas LMS. The LXD might also use tools such as Articulate, Adobe Creative or Vyond. The incumbent will design and create multimedia for each offering, or partner externally for production as required. The incumbent will engage with partners, including the academic lead/instructor/SME, on review cycles throughout the online course development process and ensure that an optimal learning environment is set up for each new digital experience.
The Learning Experience Designer is an expert storyteller. The incumbent drives learning engagement through well-planned, intentionally developed, interactive multimedia and activities. Every component of the online course is developed with purpose, creating flow between each learning element and the teaching experience.
The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Learning Experience Developer and collaborates closely with the Project Manager and an Instructional Designer (ID) on each new project. This position is a hybrid role, which includes 3 days in-person at Enterprise Square (Tues - Thurs) in Edmonton, and Monday & Friday, which can be worked remotely from home.
Responsibilities
Digital Course Production
- Apply best practices for online learning to all digital builds, including online pedagogical/andragogical approaches to teaching and learning with consideration for the type of project (credit, non-credit) and desired outcomes.
- Collaborate with the ID and academic lead/SME on any changes or updates and make recommendations for activities, interactives, complex interactions (such as branching scenarios or gamification) or multimedia that will enable a high degree of learner engagement.
- Incorporate elements of storytelling, creating flow between digital learning elements and the teaching and learning experience.
- Design new templates and leverage existing templates or other visual elements to enhance the look and feel of the online offering to meet the needs of partners.
- Create or maintain course homepages and reusable course templates with consistent navigation, layout and branding for use in course projects.
- Make LX recommendations to ID / SMEs that would enhance the learning experience, including the strategic use of dynamic elements and multimedia usage.
- Produce prototype, draft, and final versions of each online course, working with the academic lead/SME, ID and project manager to obtain feedback and approvals before launch.
- Build and style online courses directly in Canvas using a combination of native LMS features, HTML, and inline CSS (utilizing VS Code for code editing), while integrating secondary third-party assets (e.g., Articulate Rise, Storyline, or Vyond) as needed.
- Make revisions to the online course, such as critical updates and content refreshes; provide consultation for instructors/SMEs to make content revisions to their online courses when applicable.
- Ensure Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging principles (ACB) are foundational to all planning, design, and development work.
Multimedia, Enrichment, Assessment
- Plan, design, and create new digital assets and multimedia for online courses, including presentations, podcasts, pressbooks, audio, animations, and custom graphics.
- Curate and adapt existing multimedia for integration into courses, e.g video editing, stock assets.
- Provide light post-production editing for media assets, e.g. podcasts or videos.
- Design interactive learning objects using course authoring tools or web technologies to enhance engagement and knowledge retention.
- Collaborate with vendors on the creation of multimedia that may require external support, e.g. video production.
- Ensure all digital assets comply with accessibility guidelines (WCAG), UDL, and best practices in digital LX/UX.
- Set up discussion forums and other appropriate tools for interaction and engagement between students and instructors within the online course.
- In collaboration with the ID, build and integrate digital assessments created by the academic lead/ SME, such as quizzes, polls, peer review tools, or formative assessments in the LMS or other third-party tools.
- Set up gradebooks, rubrics, and other assessment-related tools within the online course(s).
- Integrate library resources, e-texts, OERs, or other assets as identified by the academic/instructor/SME and ID.
- Provide external relations or communications team members with course-related collateral materials, e.g. video clips, that can be utilized for marketing and promotion of the offering.
- Manage and organize digital course content for version control and reuse, in a shared repository.
Quality Assurance
- Using OCE’s quality assurance resources in course development, e.g. quality checklists, accessibility guidelines, Style Guides, or third-party scorecards, thoroughly evaluate prototypes and drafts of project modules to test for accuracy, quality, accessibility, responsiveness and functionality.
- Version control learning objects, such as SCORM, as applicable and monitor sections and archives of LMS courses.
- Perform QA at various stages of course development, making revisions and verifying if QA changes have been made.
- Use available tools and processes to manage the QA testing process with team members and academic content creators. Provide tool orientation, monitor the issue list, and drive reported issues to resolution in a timely manner.
- Utilize various testing tools and methodologies to identify and document bugs, usability issues, or accessibility barriers in courses.
- Troubleshoot and resolve functionality issues within online course content, and resolve or escalate when necessary.
- Develop and maintain documentation of workflows and guidelines that support internal knowledge sharing and consistency.
Work Environment
- Collaborate with external units, such as Information Services and Technology (IST) and the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), as needed for institutional tool-related resources, digital learning technology support/integration, and instructor resources/support.
- Alongside the OCE team, collaborate with IST on ideas, use cases, and innovation related to the digital learning environment.
- Collaborate and communicate with team members about potential issues impacting course development, development tools, process gaps, etc.
- Be a champion for the end user experience and drive positive change for digital course delivery and the learning experience.
- Report weekly on development task status and time spent using Project Management, Time Tracking, and Scheduling tools.
- Collaborate with the project team using asynchronous tools and status meeting updates.
- Collaborate and share with other LXD team members to cross-reference work, synchronize and streamline projects and processes, and enhance practice.
Professional Development
- Research and test new and emerging technologies and trends to support online teaching and learning.
- Engage in conferences, workshops, courses, webinars, and other professional development activities to continually develop skills, knowledge, and insights that will elevate the digital learning experience at the U of A.
- Present current and past projects at conferences as well as share best practices with internal and external groups.
- Participate in communities of practice, working groups, or committees related to learning experience design and development.
- Engage in membership opportunities with higher education learning associations such as OLC, UPCEA, Quality Matters or CAUCE.
Qualifications
- An Undergraduate degree in educational technology, design, instructional design, adult education or a related field is required. A diploma with strong online course development and multimedia experience may be considered.
- A minimum of two years of developing online courses and multimedia is required; preference given to those with experience developing credit, non-credit, and corporate digital learning experiences.
- Hands-on proficiency writing HTML and inline CSS using code editors like VS Code to build and custom-style course content directly within an LMS.
- Experience using course authoring tools and media software (e.g., Articulate Rise/Storyline, Adobe Creative Cloud, Vyond) as secondary production tools to support course builds.
- AI literacy, including comfort using AI tools ethically and appropriately within design workflows.
- Experience building custom courses directly within Learning Management Systems (such as Canvas) using both native LMS features and custom styling.
- Experience supporting and including Indigenous Initiatives and Access, Community and Belonging (II and ACB) across the digital learning experience.
- Exceptional creativity, passion, and ability to develop enriched, innovative online learning that utilizes a variety of modalities, technologies, and multimedia.
- Multimedia portfolio of previous work, including graphics, animations, audio, or other multimedia work.
- Knowledge and experience with accessibility guidelines, UDL, and digital LX/UX.
- Familiarity with copyright legislation and compliance, fair use guidelines, Creative Commons licensing, and intellectual property rights related to the use of digital content in educational settings.
- Keen eye for detail to conduct quality assurance reviews and user acceptance testing.
- Must have technical skills required to resolve technical issues related to the digital build and multimedia.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to positively influence partners, build trust, and generate excitement.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
Applicants are encouraged to include a link to their portfolio of work in their cover letter. Preference may be given to candidates who provide a portfolio showcasing relevant work and experience.
This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms - physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
The Provost and Vice-President - Academic is the University of Alberta’s chief academic officer and a key leader in advancing the university’s educational mission. As a member of the executive team, the Provost works closely with the President and fellow vice-presidents to ensure all institutional portfolios and priorities are aligned with the university’s vision and strategic goals.
The Provost is responsible for academic resource allocation and provides oversight of the infrastructure, services, and administrative units that support teaching, learning, and research excellence. This includes leadership of the university’s colleges and faculties, as well as several key portfolios: the Office of the Registrar, Vice-Provost (Access, Community + Belonging), Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming and Research), Vice-Provost (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies), Vice-Provost (Learning Initiatives), and the Centre for Teaching and Learning. The Provost also works in close partnership with the Deans' Council and supports institutional planning and academic policy development.
Through strategic direction and collaborative engagement, the Provost ensures that the University of Alberta maintains a dynamic, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment, positioning it as a leader in post-secondary education in Canada and globally.
