WHAT DOES AN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIST DO?

Published: Sep 18, 2025 - The Instructional Technologist manages learning systems and trauma education platforms by overseeing course development, system updates, reporting, and user support. This role coordinates user training, facilitates IT ticket resolution, implements testing protocols, and supports both internal teams and course participants. The technologist also maintains databases, standardizes procedures, contributes to cross-team collaboration, and promotes continuous improvement in alignment with organizational values.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Instructional Technologist

1. Instructional Technologist Duties

  • LMS Management: Serve as the administrator of the LMS Platform (Canvas) for Rice Business Courses
  • Instructional Design: Assists faculty to further their instructional goals by designing, developing, testing and implementing instructional technology systems and promotes the use of technology systems used for teaching and learning
  • Faculty Consultation: Consults with faculty and technology specialists to enable instructional collaboration, content delivery, access to new media, and assessment
  • Technology Evaluation: Investigate and recommend new instructional technologies
  • User Support: Provides support, training, and documentation to faculty and students on existing learning environments including management of digital assets, multimedia, and ePortfolios
  • Project Management: Performs project management and documentation tasks to accomplish these goals
  • Project Planning: Creates and monitors project plans
  • Timeline Coordination: Devises project timelines and assigns responsibilities
  • Budget Monitoring: Monitors project budgets and timelines
  • Status Reporting: Provides project status and budget reports
  • Issue Tracking: Anticipates and catches deviations from set plans/budgets and keeps stakeholders informed
  • Tech Research: Stays abreast of educational technology research and participates in academic conferences

2. Instructional Technologist Details

  • Learning Objectives: Collaborate with T&D members and business unit SMEs to write and develop learning objectives
  • Content Development: Develop eLearning modules, participant/facilitator guides, and presentations
  • Performance Support: Develop e-learning content to support learning that fosters change and drives performance
  • Training Evaluation: Assess training effectiveness to ensure the incorporation of taught skills and techniques into employees' work behavior
  • Material Branding: Liaison to the Marketing Department for branding of training materials
  • LMS Administration: Responsible for LMS administration and reporting on course completion
  • Library Management: Manage the LMS training library and curate LinkedIn Learning offerings
  • Event Scheduling: Schedule and administratively manage training events
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain updated curriculum database and training records
  • Trend Awareness: Maintain a keen understanding of training trends, technology and best practices

3. Instructional Technologist Responsibilities

  • Instructional Technology: Collaborate with faculty and staff on the use of relevant instructional technology techniques and the application of educational technology tools
  • Student Engagement: Enhance student learning within traditional classroom environments, as well as flipped and blended classrooms, distance learning courses and hyflex pedagogical models
  • Technology Planning: Develop plans for applying educational practices and technology to specific learning or teaching problems
  • LMS Support: Provide support to instructors in the creation and implementation of course websites using learning management systems, specifically Canvas
  • Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to Canvas and other educational technologies for faculty, staff, and students
  • Classroom Training: Collaborate with other members of the IET Team on the use and training of in-classroom technologies, such as microphones, smart document cameras, annotation devices, wireless presentation devices, etc.
  • Media Production: Create media using a wide range of multimedia software including audio, video, web, and animation software, to develop materials for courses
  • Learning Facilitation: Responsible for proposing, developing, planning, coordinating and facilitating learning opportunities and instructional technology
  • Learning Analytics: Leverage emerging educational technologies, learning science research, and learning analytics to design, evaluate and enhance learning experiences
  • Project Planning: Collaborate with team members to plan short- and long-term projects and participate in implementing strategic initiatives
  • Special Projects: Work on special projects as deemed relevant and be available for technical and other support during critical periods

4. Instructional Technologist Job Summary

  • LMS Administration: Serve as team administrator for the Learning Management System and the Trauma Education Course Management System, overseeing online course development, maintenance, updates and reporting
  • User Training: Lead training and support efforts for internal users
  • Tech Support: Provide technological and systems expertise and support, both internally and externally, through submission of and follow-up to IT tickets
  • System Testing: Manage all activities related to the design and implementation of User Acceptance Testing and ongoing testing of business and educational systems (LMS, CMS, Aptify, facs.org)
  • Training Development: Assist in design/development and oversee the implementation of technological training for internal and external teams/stakeholders
  • Course Support: Provide team support for course sites and course participants interfacing with the ACS Trauma web-based education systems
  • Program Operations: Support the Program Managers, Trauma Education, in the day-to-day operational aspects of the Trauma Education Program
  • SOP Development: Develop and communicate standard operating procedures to the team to ensure quality customer support
  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with the Trauma Quality Education team
  • Database Management: Manage all aspects of database maintenance, reporting, information management, and records maintenance
  • Data Reporting: Compile and share data reports
  • Content Management: Assist the Program Manager in CME, Compliance, and Communication in online content management activities
  • Performance Improvement: Contribute enthusiastically to an environment of continual performance improvement, team collaboration and service to improve care of the injured patient, executed in accordance with ACS Values
  • Program Integration: Seek and promote areas of integration and alignment within Trauma Programs and across ACS activities
  • Role Development: Pursue and welcome opportunities for the evolution of responsibilities and growth in position
  • Process Documentation: Create and maintain written, organized processes and procedures in support of all projects and activities handled in this program area

5. Instructional Technologist Accountabilities

  • Course Development: Works one-on-one and in groups with faculty and staff to create online courses, services, and instructional materials
  • Material Presentation: Assists faculty and staff with options for presenting instructional materials or presentations using a variety of software, i.e., Camtasia, the college LMS, MS Office Suite tools, etc.
  • LMS Training: Trains faculty and staff in the use of the Learning Management System and provides technical support
  • Tech Research: Researches new instructional technologies for viability within instructional/classroom setting and advises management on equipment and training needs
  • Media Production: Designs, develops, and produces media elements for courses and other projects
  • Course Review: Performs QA on the online course materials each year
  • Student Feedback: Routinely interfaces with students to understand different learning styles and how they are met with current online delivery and content
  • Online Teaching: Teaches up to two courses each year in an online environment
  • Tech Integration: Supports the faculty in all aspects of academic technology integration and innovation for the university
  • Faculty Support: Technical support to faculty with technology integrations into the curriculum and innovates new ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of instructional delivery
  • Training Delivery: Creates and provides training materials and experiences, face-to-face and online, for faculty
  • User Assistance: Provides user consultation, training, and assistance on a variety of instructional, multimedia, and emerging technologies
  • Faculty Development: Improves student engagement, student achievement, and digital literacy skills by facilitating faculty professional growth and development on the selection and integration of appropriate technologies for their discipline and learning objectives
  • Tech Evaluation: Participates in the evaluation and selection of the latest instructional technology software and hardware
Relevant Information
What Does An Instructional Designer Do?
What Does An Instructional Specialist Do?