Furman University

Position Description

 

Instructional Development Consultant – Fine Arts

 

In conjunction with the Departments of Music, Art, and Theatre Arts, the Furman University Center for Teaching and Engaged Learning seeks an Instructional Development Consultant to support and enhance educational activities in the Fine Arts. The Instructional Development Consultant – Fine Arts provides collaborative consultation and support for faculty innovation in the Fine Arts. Maintaining a focus on the technology needs of faculty (audio, video, graphics, web, etc), she/he researches and shares knowledge of new software, hardware and instructional approaches that promote the development of effective course curricula and provides expertise and training support for specialized software and hardware (e.g., digital audio/video recording and post-production, digital graphics, 3D modeling, CAD, Fine Arts database management).

 

General Summary of IDC Responsibilities:  IDCs work directly with Furman faculty and the leadership and staff of the Center for Teaching and Engaged Learning (CTEL) to provide professional-level leadership, collaborative support, and consultation to faculty for the development of innovative, engaging, and technology-enhanced courses and instructional materials.  Each IDC: works with other members of CTEL, the Libraries, and the Computing & Information Services (C&IS) Department as appropriate to support campus-wide curricular initiatives and/or related academic projects promoting effective teaching and learning at Furman. Provides direct consultative support to faculty in their development as facilitators of engaged learning, scholars, and researchers.  Assists in periodic assessment of needs of faculty in their designated academic division and develops and provides training to faculty, CTEL team members, students, and academic staff in new instructional technologies and active and innovative pedagogies.  Where appropriate, recommends software and hardware acquisitions, liaising with the Academic Computing Specialists and C&IS to ensure their effective integration.  Creates and disseminates related online and hardcopy reference materials in support of training and faculty development.  Contributes to the monitoring and reporting of CTEL accomplishments, faculty and student participation, and outcomes and impact of training and support. According to interests and expertise, may assume responsibility for coordinating key CTEL initiatives and/or assume either periodic course- or team-teaching responsibilities within their discipline.  Through collaboration with CTEL team members, assists in facilitating and developing the communications function of the CTEL through website(s), blogs, and other digital media.  Works to identify, share, and promote innovative examples of effective teaching and curricula within the Furman community and through other professional and public fora. 

 

Education and Experience Required: Doctorate or other terminal degree in one of the Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre) preferred, Masters acceptable; comparable professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree, and experience as an artist, actor/director and/or musician is desirable.  Five years experience working with appropriate technologies in the Fine Arts, including leading programs for audio, video, digital imagery, CAD, 3D modeling, Fine Arts database management, and digital graphics (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Flash, Digital Performer, DVD Studio Pro). Experience with Macintosh and Windows-based computers, and troubleshooting audio, video, and graphics equipment and software highly preferred. A minimum of two years (or the equivalent) of higher education teaching experience in the Fine Arts is preferred.  Experience working with faculty development, instructional consultation, and/or the promotion of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) desirable.  Also desirable is some combination of the following: facility with open source systems and software, learning management systems (e.g. Blackboard or Moodle).  Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with faculty to explore and to realize their creative goals; broad and current knowledge of concepts, issues, and literature in the innovative use of technology to enhance instruction, learning, and creativity in the Fine Arts.

 

Salary competitive and commensurate with experience, expertise and designated responsibilities. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, CV/resume, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and phone numbers of three current references to:  Human Resources via email: human.resources@furman.edu (preferred) or via mail: Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613.

 

 

 

Reporting Relationship: This position reports directly to the Assistant Academic Dean for the Center for Teaching and Engaged Learning.  Given the importance of effective divisional support and faculty relations to the success of this position, informal and formal mechanisms will tie divisional/departmental input to the selection and periodic evaluation of the IDC.

 

Principal Contacts (Internal/External): Internal (90%): Members of the faculty, staff, and students in the Fine Arts; members of the CTEL, C&IS and Libraries and other Furman constituencies.  External (10%): Attendance at conferences, workshops and other off-campus fora to stay abreast of current trends and to report on innovations and experiences at Furman University; possible classroom teaching opportunities.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities: May coordinate student workers, CTEL and Academic Computing Support personnel and resources for specific instructional and curricular development and technology-based projects.

 

Essential functions of the position:  

 

Administrative/Technical (80-90%):

 

·         Serves as the primary instructional development and technology consultant and liaison for academic departments within the Fine Arts Division.

·         Works with Faculty to design and develop instructional materials and resources to enhance instruction.

·         Supports instructional and curricular development and creative projects/events.

·         Plans programs and training opportunities for and with faculty (as well as staff and students, as appropriate).

·         Assists with the development and maintenance of CTEL’s communicative structure.

·         Provides support for academic computing and appropriate technology needs in the Fine Arts.

·         Writes policies and develops reports for assessment of academic program needs.

·         Serves as primary liaison between Fine Arts departments and CTEL and C&IS, advocating on behalf of the department for resources and support as appropriate.

·         Participates in decision-making with regard to SoTL/research issues and Information Fluency matters as they relate to the Fine Arts.

 

Teaching/Scholarship (10% - 20%):

 

·         Team teaches and guest facilitates sessions in existing courses to model effective instructional practice or facilitate instructional innovation or teaches discipline-based or interdisciplinary courses as scheduling permits;

·         Reviews relevant publications and web media to discern emerging trends in instructional design and appropriate technologies and researches and assesses new hardware and software as they become available;

·         Attends and presents at conferences and workshops to stay current in the fields of Fine Arts technology applications and effective instructional practices and promote innovative activities undertaken in Fine Arts and at Furman.

 

Marginal Functions of the Position:

 

·         Composes routine correspondence and reports.

·         Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Equipment/Materials Used:  Books, journals, musical scores and recordings and other scholarly and reference publications, audio and video recording and post-production equipment; devices for capture, storage, manipulation, and presentation of digital graphics; computers, projectors, scanners, printers, wireless devices, and other digital production and presentation equipment; equipment specific to the Fine Arts; telephones, photocopier and facsimile machines.

 

Software Programs Used: Leading audio, video, digital imagery, 3D modeling, CAD and digital graphics production programs (Adobe Creative Suite, Flash, Digital Performer, DVD Studio Pro, etc); Macintosh and Windows operating systems, programming and scripting languages, database packages, collaboration tools, professional web design tools and standards, network software, office productivity tools.

 

Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting and/or moving of computer equipment; keyboarding; some classroom instruction.

 

Confidential Statement: Safeguards the confidentiality of faculty and departmental/office administration by exercising discretion in communicating information to faculty, students, administrators, and staff, and handling departmental records and files, personnel actions, performance evaluations, grade reports, merit, promotion and tenure decisions, and similar confidential materials.

 

Update August 2006

 

Return to the CTEL IDC Positions Announcement