We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Develop and manage online learning materials and environments for education providers
- Requires a combination of technical ability with an understanding of education and training
- An exciting, rapidly developing field with lots of potential
As an E-learning developer your role could be building online training areas known as virtual learning environments (VLEs), adapting off-the-shelf VLE products, talking with users to find out about their training needs, working with tutors, trainers or development teams to create online learning materials, creating interactive multimedia like video clips, modifying content for use on other platforms like mobile phones or tablets, making sure security measures are in place to control access, writing training support materials, staying up to date with the latest design methods and technologies and maintaining a VLE on an ongoing basis.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Building online training areas known as virtual learning environments (VLEs)
- Adapting off-the-shelf VLE products
- Talking with users to find out about their training needs
- Working with tutors, trainers or development teams to create online learning materials
- Creating interactive multimedia like video clips
- Modifying content for use on other platforms like mobile phones or tablets
- Making sure security measures are in place to control access
- Writing training support materials
- Staying up to date with the latest design methods and technologies
- Maintaining a VLE on an ongoing basis
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with excellent communication skills, creative flair, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask and work to deadlines.
You'll usually need a higher education qualification like a foundation degree, HND or degree. Relevant subjects include computing, multimedia design, teaching, or educational technology.
If you already have a degree or relevant work experience, you can do a postgraduate qualification in e-learning technology.
You could start out as a junior developer or e-learning assistant, if you've got computing A levels or equivalent. You'll also need a working knowledge of web design software.
You could also take a college course like an A level in Computing, a Level 3 Certificate in Programming, or a Level 3 Diploma in Web Design and Development. You could also do a T level in Digital Production, Design and Development.
You may be able to complete an advanced or higher apprenticeship in digital learning design or computing.
Blackboard and Moodle are widely used by education institutions and an understanding of how these work will be useful.
It may be useful to join the Learning and Performance Institute for professional development opportunities.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could progress to a senior development role, IT project management, e-learning research, strategy planning, technical sales and business development.
You could also move into related areas like educational or training consultancy, educational software development, systems analysis or the computer games industry.