Learning Technologist
Learning Resources
The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art is one of Europe’s leading higher education institutions for
creative education and research. We are organised into three schools - the School of
Design, the School of Fine Art, and the Mackintosh School of Architecture, with the
Forum for Critical Enquiry providing a key component to all undergraduate degrees in art
and design, and Research and Postgraduate Studies providing a significant area of
growth and development. The School has over 350 full and part-time staff and has an
annual turnover in excess of £17 million. Over 84% of academic staff are research
active.
Our distinctive, specialist, practice-based education in architecture, design and fine art is
internationally recognised. Nearly 20% of our 1,700 student are international and the
School continues to be an institution of choice for many Scottish students, reflecting the
important role the institution has within Glasgow and nationally within Scotland.
The GSA is an environment in which difference is encouraged and diversity of
background and approach is valued. We share a passion and concern for visual culture
and this is central to our vision to provide world-class creative education and research
which make a significant economic, educational, cultural and social contribution.
The Role
Job Title
Learning Technologist
Location
Learning Resources
Reports to
IT Librarian
Purpose
The Learning Technologist is required to advise and
support academic staff on pedagogic design and other
areas of e-learning development. Working in close
collaboration with Schools and departments, you will
support staff in the adoption, development, application and
evaluation of appropriate learning technologies for
learning, teaching and assessment
Principal Accountabilities

To champion technology enhanced learning within the learning and teaching
framework and support staff and students in this regard

To administer, support and promote the use of the Virtual Learning Environment
(Blackboard) in conjunction with academic, technical and support staff

To be the e-learning contact point for academic staff and assist in VLE content
development

To keep abreast of developments in e-learning, particularly within the fields of
fine art, design and architecture and advise on potential deployment

To develop and deliver staff and student training in the use of the VLE and
undertake activities to promote e-learning

To develop support materials

To monitor and report on use of the VLE and other technologies

To produce an annual plan for the delivery and development of e-learning and
contribute to policy making

To identify and bid for funding to progress technological development

To attend team meetings and contribute to departmental planning activity and
knowledge exchange

To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of
equality and diversity, data protection, copyright, licensing, security and other
School policies and procedures as appropriate

To represent the GSA at external events as required

Any other tasks commensurate with the post as identified by the Head of
Learning Resources
Relationships
Internally, the post holder will work with the Learning Technology Officer and other staff in
the Computer Centre.
Active engagement with tutors and students and other support areas such as IT, Registry,
Library and Student Services is required. The post has no line management
responsibilities.
The post holder will also develop and maintain links with external bodies and
organizations such as commercial providers of VLE software and tools; suppliers of
development software; and other HE institutions or organizations involved in e-learning
activity and development eg JISC, ALT, ScotBug etc
Person Specifications

Advanced level IT skills eg e-learning design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript,
Photoshop, Fireworks, Acrobat Pro

Good organizational and project management skills

Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, particularly the ability to work
collaboratively and in multiple teams

Good problem solving skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Good presentation skills, able to communicate with a range of staff at all levels

Ability to prioritise workload

Self-starter, able to work independently as well as part of team

Enthusiastic with a strong commitment to customer service
Background Experience/Qualifications
Qualifications

Educated to degree level or equivalent

A postgraduate educational technology, IT or teaching qualification would be
advantageous
Knowledge/Experience

Minimum of two years relevant experience preferably within Higher or Further
Education

Experience of working with and developing use of VLEs and other web based
learning applications

Experience in designing and developing online learning materials

Sound understanding of pedagogical issues in relation to e-learning

Track record of innovation in technology enhanced learning


Experience of writing successful funding bids
Good understanding of web and content accessibility issues

Sound knowledge of web authoring tools: HTML, CSS, Javascript, and
knowledge of latest W3C standards.

Knowledge of basic layout and design principles for online materials

Experience of training users and the delivery of induction and awareness
programmes

Experience of project management and working to deadlines

Experience of using Web 2.0 in a learning environment

Knowledge of trends and developments in learning technologies

Experience of anti-plagiarism software

Ability to communicate complex ideas in non-technical language

Ability to contribute to policy

An interest in art, design and architecture would be advantageous
Terms and Conditions

Contract – Permanent subject to satisfactory probationary period

Probationary period – 6 months
It is recognised that there is an inevitable ‘settling in’ period in any post. The
probationary period is therefore an opportunity for the employee to fit within the culture
of the School. It should also be determined during this time whether the job is in line
with expectations as expressed in pre-appointment discussions, interview and as set out
in the Job Description.

Salary: Grade 6 £29,099- £33,734 per annum

Holidays – 35 days plus 11 public and statutory

Notice Period – 3 months

Pension: Option to join Local Government Pension Scheme