position description: Instructional Development Consultant for the Sciences & Mathematics |
In conjunction with the Science and Mathematics Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, the General Summary of Responsibilities: Position works 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, consultation to faculty for the development of innovative, engaging and technology-enhanced courses and instructional materials. Works with other members of the CTEL, the Libraries, and the 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 ACS 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, assume team teaching and/or periodic course teaching responsibilities within their discipline. Through collaboration with CTEL team, 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. The IDC – Sciences and Mathematics will research and share knowledge of new instructional approaches, software, and hardware that promote the development of new and effective course curricula within the Sciences and Mathematics. Works with faculty to support students and promote interactive learning, presentation, team collaboration, and critical/interactive writing skills development. Provides expertise and training support for specialized software (e.g., statistical packages, visualization software) within the Sciences/Mathematics and in related academic divisions, as appropriate. Coordinates with the Academic Computing Specialists in delivery of standard software suite training for academic departments within the Sciences/Math Division, as appropriate. Education and Experience Required: Doctorate and Masters (and/or BS or experience) preferred in some combination of the following areas: Instructional Design/Instructional Technology, Science/Math (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics), Adult Education, or other related educational degree(s). Two to five years of full-time higher education teaching experience (or equivalent) in sciences or mathematics. experience working with faculty development, instructional consultation, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) preferred; demonstrated experience and skill in designing and implementing creative, effective technology-enhanced instruction in the Sciences; enthusiasm for working collaboratively with faculty to explore and to realize their pedagogical goals; and broad and current knowledge of concepts, issues, and literature informing innovative instructional practices and the use of technology to enhance learning. Understanding and appreciation for interdisciplinary interactions a plus. Facility with both PC and Macintosh operating platforms and parallel computing systems and applications is highly desirable. Expertise in the effective visualization of quantitative information is highly desirable, as is knowledge of specific software, programming and/or scripting languages relevant to applications used in the sciences (e.g., Mathematica, GIS, SAS, SPSS, and simulations, php, Java, etc.); facility with open source operating systems and software, advanced web design, basic database design, multimedia production and/or modeling software, pedagogical applications of wireless technologies, and knowledge/experience working with related concepts, policies and concerns in higher education (intellectual property, fair use, etc.) are also desirable. 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, academic staff, and students in the humanities; members of the CTEL, C&IS and Libraries and other Furman constituencies. External (10%): Attendance at conferences and workshops and other off-campus fora to stay abreast of current trends and to report on innovations and experiences at 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%):
Teaching/Scholarship (10% - 20%):
Marginal Functions of the Position:
Equipment/Materials Used: Books, journals and other scholarly and reference publications, computers, scanners, printers, wireless devices, and other digital production and presentation equipment; equipment specific to the Sciences and Mathematics; telephones, photocopier and facsimile machines, and calculators. Software Programs Used: Various operating systems, programming and scripting languages, database packages, statistical packages, collaboration tools, various learning management systems, professional web design tools and standards, multimedia authoring software, scanning and graphics software, 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. |