Professional Investigation: Skills to Pay the Bills

As an instructional designer I would like to transition into an eLearning Manager/Electronic Course Editor. The job titles change every other day…basically, I really want to design and create interactive and visually stimulating content.

About a year ago, I was researching what I needed to fulfill these goals. Which is how I discovered the DePaul’s NMS Graduate Studies Program. I knew formal education would be the best way for me to truly understand digital communications and develop the most proficient skills to pay the bills.

Based on the research from job postings, my current experience in eLearning, and visual design, I have identified the following skill set as necessary for an eLearning Designer/Educational Multimedia Designer:

Basic Level

• Knowledge of ISD Process
• ADDIE Module (Technical Training)
• Document Layout: MS Word, Adobe FrameMaker
• Writing: Technical & Instructional Writing
• Visual design software: Adobe Photoshop

Intermediate Level

• Expert knowledge of ISD for eLearning
• Instructor-led course delivery experience
• Document layout with Adobe InDesign
• Visual communication knowledge
• Module integration with LMS (publish to proper format)
• Intermediate HTML/CSS
• Authoring tools: Lectora, Captivate

Advanced Level

• Advanced HTML/CSS
• LMS Integration and Operation
• SCORM Publishing
• Video editing experience
• Advanced Design Software Skills: Photoshop, InDesign, Flash, DreamWeaver, Fireworks
• Extremely skilled in web design to the point where I can freelance as a Web Designer and eLearning Producer

Now…

I possess the writing and knowledge of the ISD process with basic digital media skill for adding sound and video elements into modules. The authoring tool I am most proficient with is Lectora, but I have experience in many others.

Later…

I want to become advanced with HTML/CSS in DreamWeaver and Flash for higher order eLearning design.

~ by De Fench on October 1, 2008.