It is important to note that this job description is a guide to the work you will undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet the needs of the service. It does not form part of your contract of employment. Job Description for the post: VLE Support Officer EH2814 18.5 hours per week Fixed term for 12 months Responsible to: Accountable to: Dean of Learning Services Learning Technology Development Manager Learning Services Learning Services at Edge Hill works to provide a responsive learning environment for its students, developing and supporting learning through services, facilities, development, research, support and information. Learning Services incorporates learning resource centres and information provision, learning support, ICT user support for learning and teaching, e-learning development and support, media services, and disability and dyslexia support. Edge Hill s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a mission-critical technology, underpinning teaching and learning across campuses, outreach and flexible delivery, and enabling students to be supported in their learning at the time and place of their choosing. The VLE Support Officer role is designed to support staff and students in their access to and use of the VLE. They will work with staff in the Business School, their colleagues within the Learning Technology Development Division and with other staff at Edge Hill. It is envisaged that this time-limited role will change over the duration of the contract as the post-holder works to ensure sustainable e-learning practices within the Business School. The post-holder will initially be responsible for the dayto-day administration of the VLE, managing the administrative lifecycle of course content and access by staff and students. They will also be responsible for the production, publication and maintenance of online learning materials, working closely with academic staff and learning technologists to develop high quality online educational materials that are engaging and pedagogically sound. 1
Over the term of this role, the post-holder will work with academic and administrative staff within the Business School to develop their skills, content production and administrative processes around use of the VLE. Specific responsibilities will include: 1. Managing requests for VLE Sections and access from both staff and external, temporary users and the subsequent management of the Section lifecycle. 2. Maintaining and contributing to current and future systems for enrolment of students into the VLE and the subsequent management of the student lifecycle within the VLE. 3. Developing and maintaining an annual calendar of academic activity to plan for periods of heavy activity and traffic within the VLE, e.g. assessment periods, to support system reliability at these times. 4. Working closely with the Business School and Learning Technology Development Officers (LTDO) produce and maintain online teaching and learning and support materials in a variety of formats for staff using the VLE. 5. Identifying tools and developing templates to enable Business School colleagues to create their own online materials without expert knowledge. 6. Testing new and updated tools and software used within the VLE and troubleshooting problems arising from their use. 7. Monitoring VLE performance and usage and producing data and reports as required. 8. Working with Learning Services Help Desk staff and Learning Technology Development Officers, providing solutions to technical queries from staff and students concerning the VLE. 9. Working closely with LTDOs in producing information and guides to support the use of the VLE, in print and for online presentation using relevant web authoring software 10. Delivering both group and one to one training sessions, to provide support for staff using the VLE. Contribute to VLE training programmes across the year, working with Learning Technology Development Officers. 11. Assisting with general responsibilities in Learning Services as required In addition to the above duties all staff are required to; a) Participate in Edge Hill s Performance Review scheme; b) Respect confidentiality; confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to unauthorised persons; 2
c) Comply with legislation and adhere to Edge Hill s policies and procedures and attend appropriate training as required, including Health and Safety; d) Manage and enhance own personal performance; e) Participate in work-related training and staff development. Salary: Grade 5, points 19-22 21,565-23,566 pro rata Hours: 18.5 hours per week Candidates should note that they will be shortlisted based on information provided on the application form with regard to the applicant s ability to meet the criteria outlined in the Person Specification form attached. Completed application forms to be returned to the Head of Human Resources, Edge Hill, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, to arrive no later than 22 September 2010. 3
PERSON SPECIFICATION VLE Support Officer EH2814 CRITERIA: Applicants should provide evidence of their ability to meet the following criteria. E = Essential D = Desirable E D Qualifications Educated to A level/ BTEC standard, to include * GCSE English Language or equivalent IT qualification or equivalent * Experience Experience using software for creating multimedia and web-based * learning materials, such as Photoshop, screencasting software, Flash, Wimba and Dreamweaver Experience of Blackboard Learning System (or other VLE) * Experience with integration of learning resources * (SCORM and others) within virtual learning environments Knowledge/experience of working in an educational environment * Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge/awareness of educational and technology issues * relating to online learning Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral * Able to work on own initiative as part of a team * Able to organise and prioritise own work * Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines * Reliable and able to work flexibly * Excellent customer care skills * Able to liaise effectively with internal and external personnel * 4
E D Other Awareness of Equal Opportunities issues * Willingness to undertake staff training and development * Participation in Edge Hill s Performance Review * and Development scheme 5