Top 12 Instructional Technologist Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, an Instructional Technologist must possess a unique set of skills to effectively design, implement, and evaluate digital learning environments. Highlighting these top skills on your resume can significantly enhance your appeal to potential employers, showcasing your ability to merge technology with pedagogy to foster engaging and effective learning experiences.

Instructional Technologist Skills

1. Articulate Storyline
2. Adobe Captivate
3. Moodle LMS
4. Canvas LMS
5. Blackboard Learn
6. Google Classroom
7. Zoom Video
8. Microsoft Teams
9. Camtasia Studio
10. SCORM Compliance
11. HTML5
12. CSS3

1. Articulate Storyline

Articulate Storyline is a powerful software tool used by Instructional Technologists for creating interactive e-learning courses and content, allowing for the integration of multimedia, assessments, and simulations in an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Why It's Important

Articulate Storyline is crucial for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a powerful, user-friendly platform for creating interactive and engaging e-learning content, enabling the development of customized instructional materials that cater to diverse learning styles and needs.

How to Improve Articulate Storyline Skills

Improving your skills in Articulate Storyline as an Instructional Technologist involves focusing on several key areas: mastering advanced features, understanding instructional design principles, staying updated with the latest trends, and engaging with the community. Here’s a concise guide to enhancing your proficiency:

1. Master Advanced Features: Dive deeper into Storyline's capabilities such as variables, triggers, and advanced animations to create more interactive and personalized learning experiences. The official Articulate user guides offer comprehensive tutorials on these features.

2. Apply Instructional Design Principles: Enhance your courses by applying solid instructional design principles. Focus on aligning your content with learning objectives, incorporating engaging elements, and designing for accessibility. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology provides resources and standards for instructional design.

3. Stay Updated: The eLearning industry is rapidly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends and features in Storyline by subscribing to the Articulate Blog and joining webinars or online training sessions.

4. Engage with the Community: The Articulate community is a treasure trove of resources, including templates, advice, and solutions to common problems. Participate in forums, share your experiences, and learn from others. Visit the E-Learning Heroes community to get started.

5. Practice and Experiment: Like any tool, proficiency comes with practice. Set aside time to experiment with different features and techniques, and work on personal projects or challenges posted in the Articulate community.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your Articulate Storyline skills and create more effective and engaging eLearning courses.

How to Display Articulate Storyline Skills on Your Resume

2. Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a powerful e-learning authoring tool used by instructional technologists to create interactive online courses, simulations, and assessments without the need for advanced programming skills.

Why It's Important

Adobe Captivate is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a powerful platform for creating, managing, and delivering engaging and interactive eLearning content across various devices, enabling efficient instructional design and effective learner engagement.

How to Improve Adobe Captivate Skills

Improving your skills in Adobe Captivate as an Instructional Technologist involves mastering several core areas: content creation, interactive elements, responsive design, assessment tools, and accessibility features. Here's a concise guide:

1. Master Content Creation: Dive into advanced features for creating engaging content. Adobe's official tutorials are a great starting point.

2. Enhance Interactivity: Focus on adding interactive elements like quizzes, drag-and-drops, and simulations. The eLearning Brothers blog offers insights and tips.

3. Optimize for Responsive Design: Ensure your courses are mobile-friendly. Adobe provides a guide on creating responsive projects.

4. Utilize Assessment Tools: Create effective assessments to measure learner comprehension. Explore Captivate’s question slides for varied testing methods.

5. Ensure Accessibility: Make your courses accessible to all users by adhering to WCAG guidelines. Adobe’s accessibility features guide is a crucial resource.

6. Stay Updated: Adobe regularly updates Captivate. Stay informed about new features and improvements by following the Adobe Captivate Blog.

7. Join the Community: Engage with other Captivate users in forums and social media groups for tips, tricks, and support. The Adobe Captivate Community is a valuable resource.

By focusing on these areas and leveraging available resources, you can significantly improve your proficiency and efficiency in Adobe Captivate, creating more engaging and effective eLearning courses.

How to Display Adobe Captivate Skills on Your Resume

3. Moodle LMS

Moodle LMS is an open-source learning management system designed to create personalized learning environments for educational and training purposes, providing tools for managing online courses, grading, and collaboration among instructors, learners, and administrators.

Why It's Important

Moodle LMS is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a flexible, customizable, and user-friendly platform to create, manage, and deliver e-learning courses, enabling effective and efficient education delivery and tracking in diverse educational settings.

How to Improve Moodle LMS Skills

Improving Moodle LMS as an Instructional Technologist involves focusing on usability, integration, customization, and analytics for an enhanced teaching and learning experience. Here are concise strategies:

1. Enhance Usability: Simplify navigation and interface. Use Moodle’s usability guidelines to make the platform more intuitive for users.

2. Integrate Tools: Incorporate external tools and plugins for functionality enhancement. Explore Moodle plugins for collaboration tools, plagiarism detection, and more.

3. Customize Learning Paths: Develop personalized learning experiences using Moodle's conditional activities and completion tracking features.

4. Improve Mobile Accessibility: Optimize courses for mobile access, considering the Moodle app capabilities and guidelines.

5. Utilize Analytics: Implement Moodle’s analytics for insights into learner performance and to drive interventions.

6. Enhance Communication: Use forums, messaging, and MoodleNet for improved communication and resource sharing.

7. Regular Training and Support: Provide ongoing training and resources for educators and students. Utilize the Moodle community forums for support and knowledge exchange.

8. Feedback and Iteration: Regularly collect feedback from users and apply it to iterate on course design and platform functionality.

Focusing on these areas can significantly enhance the effectiveness and user satisfaction of Moodle LMS in educational settings.

How to Display Moodle LMS Skills on Your Resume

4. Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS is a web-based learning management system designed to facilitate educational courses and content online, offering tools for course creation, grading, collaboration, and communication for instructional technologists and educators.

Why It's Important

Canvas LMS is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a flexible, intuitive platform to design, deliver, and manage engaging and effective online learning experiences, facilitating enhanced teaching outcomes and student success.

How to Improve Canvas LMS Skills

Improving Canvas LMS as an Instructional Technologist involves enhancing both the user experience and the instructional effectiveness of the platform. Here are concise strategies:

1. Streamline Navigation: Simplify course navigation to ensure students can easily find resources and assignments. Utilize Canvas Guides for best practices.

2. Integrate Multimedia: Incorporate videos, podcasts, and interactive content to cater to diverse learning styles. Explore Canvas Studio for media integration.

3. Optimize Mobile Experience: Ensure content is mobile-friendly, encouraging learning on the go. Refer to Canvas Mobile Guides for optimization tips.

4. Leverage Analytics: Use Canvas Analytics to track student engagement and performance, tailoring instruction accordingly. Canvas Analytics Guide provides insights.

5. Incorporate External Tools: Enhance functionality by integrating third-party tools via LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). Discover compatible tools on the EduAppCenter.

6. Promote Collaboration: Foster communication and collaboration using Canvas Groups and Discussions. The Collaboration Guide offers setup instructions.

7. Personalize Learning: Implement MasteryPaths for customized learning paths based on student performance. MasteryPaths Guide explains the setup.

8. Enhance Accessibility: Ensure all materials meet accessibility standards, using the Canvas Accessibility Checker and external tools like WebAIM.

9. Provide Clear Instructions: Ensure all assignments, quizzes, and content have clear, concise instructions to prevent confusion. Canvas Instructor Guide offers comprehensive advice.

10. Encourage Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from users to identify areas for improvement. Tools like SurveyMonkey can facilitate this process.

11. Continuous Professional Development: Stay updated with Canvas updates and features by participating in webinars and training offered through the Canvas Community.

Implementing these strategies involves a mix of leveraging existing Canvas features, integrating external tools, and adopting best practices in instructional design.

How to Display Canvas LMS Skills on Your Resume

5. Blackboard Learn

Blackboard Learn is a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) that provides educators and instructional technologists with tools for creating, delivering, and managing online learning and course materials.

Why It's Important

Blackboard Learn is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a comprehensive and adaptable platform to design, deliver, and manage engaging and effective online learning experiences, facilitating a seamless integration of technology and education.

How to Improve Blackboard Learn Skills

Improving Blackboard Learn as an Instructional Technologist involves enhancing user experience, integrating modern tools, and providing comprehensive training. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Enhance User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX): Simplify navigation and make interfaces intuitive. Consider feedback from instructors and students to refine the UI. Nielsen Norman Group offers valuable insights into usability you can apply.

2. Integrate External Tools: Use LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) to incorporate external tools like Turnitin, Zoom, or Kahoot, making learning more engaging.

3. Optimize for Mobile: Ensure Blackboard Learn is fully responsive and mobile-friendly. This Blackboard resource provides guidelines for creating mobile-friendly courses.

4. Implement Analytics for Learning: Use Blackboard Analytics to track and analyze student performance, enabling targeted support and interventions.

5. Offer Comprehensive Training: Provide ongoing training and resources for both instructors and students. Blackboard’s Help site is a great starting point for creating tailored training materials.

6. Foster Accessibility: Ensure all content is accessible, adhering to WCAG 2.1 guidelines. Blackboard’s accessibility features should be fully leveraged.

7. Encourage Collaboration: Leverage Blackboard’s collaboration tools like discussion boards and group projects, and consider integrating Microsoft Teams.

8. Solicit Feedback Regularly: Implement a feedback loop with users to continually refine and improve the platform. Tools like SurveyMonkey can be integrated for this purpose.

By focusing on these areas, an Instructional Technologist can significantly improve the Blackboard Learn experience for all users.

How to Display Blackboard Learn Skills on Your Resume

6. Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a web-based learning management system designed to facilitate paperless communication between teachers and students by allowing for the sharing of assignments, feedback, and materials within a secure online environment.

Why It's Important

Google Classroom is crucial for an Instructional Technologist because it streamlines assignment distribution, collection, and feedback processes, facilitating efficient, organized, and interactive digital learning environments.

How to Improve Google Classroom Skills

Improving Google Classroom for an Instructional Technologist involves enhancing user experience, integration, and accessibility. Here are targeted strategies:

1. Streamline Navigation: Simplify the interface for easier navigation. Google's Material Design principles can guide aesthetic and functional improvements.

2. Enhanced Integration: Foster seamless integration with more third-party apps and tools. Explore Google's Classroom API for custom solutions.

3. Accessibility Enhancements: Ensure all features are fully accessible, adhering to WCAG guidelines. Implement tools for checking content accessibility within the platform.

4. Feedback Mechanisms: Incorporate more intuitive and immediate feedback tools for assignments. Look into integrating existing tools like Turnitin for plagiarism checking and feedback.

5. Professional Development: Offer comprehensive training resources and modules directly within Google Classroom. Utilize platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning for instructional technology courses.

6. Analytics and Reporting: Improve the analytics dashboard for more detailed insights into student engagement and performance. Google Data Studio (Data Studio) can be leveraged for custom reporting.

7. Customizable User Roles: Develop more granular user roles and permissions for differentiated access and functionalities. This flexibility allows for a tailored experience catering to the diverse roles within educational environments.

Implementing these improvements would significantly enhance the functionality and user experience of Google Classroom for educators, students, and instructional technologists.

How to Display Google Classroom Skills on Your Resume

7. Zoom Video

Zoom Video is a cloud-based video conferencing tool that allows for virtual meetings, webinars, and collaboration with features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and real-time messaging, designed to facilitate online learning and remote work.

Why It's Important

Zoom Video is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a versatile, reliable platform for virtual learning, enabling real-time video communication, collaboration, and instruction across different locations, thus enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of educational programs.

How to Improve Zoom Video Skills

Improving Zoom video quality involves a combination of optimizing your internet connection, adjusting Zoom settings, and ensuring your hardware is adequate. Here are concise steps tailored for an Instructional Technologist:

1. Ensure a Strong Internet Connection: Use a wired connection if possible for stability. Test your internet speed (Speedtest) to ensure it meets Zoom's requirements.

2. Adjust Zoom Settings:

   • Enable HD video by going to Settings > Video > Enable HD.
   • Limit non-essential applications using bandwidth during Zoom sessions.

3. Optimize Lighting and Background: Good lighting and a non-distractive background improve video quality. Natural light facing you works best.

4. Update Zoom and Hardware Drivers: Ensure Zoom and your device's camera and graphic drivers are up to date. Check Zoom's Download Center and your device manufacturer's website.

5. Use Appropriate Hardware: Use an external webcam and microphone if the built-in ones are insufficient. High-quality peripherals can significantly enhance video and audio quality.

6. Check Zoom's Video Optimization Guide: Zoom provides detailed guides and tutorials on optimizing video settings. Visit the Zoom Help Center.

Implementing these steps will help improve Zoom video quality, ensuring a better experience for all participants.

How to Display Zoom Video Skills on Your Resume

8. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that integrates chat, meetings, file sharing, and app integration to facilitate communication and project management for educational and professional teams.

Why It's Important

Microsoft Teams is crucial for an Instructional Technologist as it integrates communication, collaboration, and instructional tools in one platform, facilitating seamless interaction, content sharing, and learning management among educators and students.

How to Improve Microsoft Teams Skills

Improving Microsoft Teams, especially from an Instructional Technologist's perspective, involves enhancing user engagement, streamlining communication, and integrating educational tools for a more effective learning environment. Here are concise strategies:

1. Optimize Team Organization: Create structured channels for various subjects or projects to keep discussions focused. Microsoft's guide on setting up your Teams provides a good starting point.

2. Leverage Bots and Apps: Integrate educational bots and apps to automate routine tasks and enrich learning. Explore the available tools in the Teams App Store.

3. Utilize Breakout Rooms: Facilitate small group discussions or project collaboration by using breakout rooms, enhancing participation. Learn how to create them through this Breakout Rooms guide.

4. Incorporate Interactive Polls and Surveys: Use Microsoft Forms or third-party tools to create polls or surveys directly in Teams, making sessions more interactive. Check out Microsoft Forms for Teams for details.

5. Streamline Notifications: Teach users to customize their notification settings to minimize distractions while ensuring they don’t miss important updates. Microsoft's guide on managing notifications can be helpful.

6. Encourage the Use of the Assignments Feature: For instructional purposes, utilize the Assignments feature to create, distribute, and grade assignments within Teams. This feature is detailed on the Assignments page.

7. Promote Video Content: Use Stream to create and share videos directly in Teams, supporting different learning styles and providing resources that can be reviewed multiple times. Learn more about Microsoft Stream.

8. Train and Support: Provide ongoing training and support for both educators and students, ensuring they are proficient in using Teams and its features effectively. Microsoft’s Training Center offers comprehensive resources.

By focusing on these areas, Instructional Technologists can significantly enhance the learning and collaboration experience within Microsoft Teams.

How to Display Microsoft Teams Skills on Your Resume

9. Camtasia Studio

Camtasia Studio is a comprehensive software application used for creating video tutorials and presentations directly via screencast or via a direct recording plug-in to Microsoft PowerPoint, designed to facilitate video editing, annotation, and interactive content creation, essential for instructional technologists focusing on e-learning and instructional design.

Why It's Important

Camtasia Studio is important for an Instructional Technologist because it provides a comprehensive toolset for creating high-quality instructional videos, including screen recording, video editing, and interactive elements, enhancing the effectiveness and engagement of e-learning materials.

How to Improve Camtasia Studio Skills

To improve Camtasia Studio for an Instructional Technologist, follow these concise strategies:

1. Update Software Regularly: Ensure you have the latest version of Camtasia Studio for access to new features and bug fixes.

2. Leverage Templates: Use Camtasia’s templates for consistent look and feel across instructional materials.

3. Enhance Audio Quality: Invest in a good microphone and use Camtasia’s audio editing features to clear background noise.

4. Incorporate Interactive Elements: Use quizzes and interactivity to engage learners. Camtasia supports adding quizzes to your videos.

5. Optimize Video Length: Keep videos short and focused. Break complex topics into smaller, manageable videos.

6. Use Annotations Wisely: Annotations, callouts, and highlights can guide attention but use them sparingly to avoid distraction.

7. Engage with the Community: Join the TechSmith Community for tips, tricks, and support from fellow users.

8. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest instructional technology trends and Camtasia features through TechSmith’s tutorials and webinars.

Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Camtasia Studio in creating instructional content.

How to Display Camtasia Studio Skills on Your Resume

10. SCORM Compliance

SCORM Compliance refers to the adherence to the Sharable Content Object Reference Model, a set of technical standards for eLearning software. It ensures that content is compatible and interoperable across different Learning Management Systems (LMS), allowing for the seamless sharing, tracking, and management of eLearning courses and content.

Why It's Important

SCORM compliance is important because it ensures interoperability, reusability, and standardization of e-learning content across different Learning Management Systems (LMSs), enabling an instructional technologist to create, share, and track online training materials efficiently and effectively.

How to Improve SCORM Compliance Skills

Improving SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) compliance involves ensuring your e-learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMS) adhere to the SCORM standards, facilitating compatibility and reliable tracking of learner progress. As an Instructional Technologist, focus on the following concise steps:

1. Understand SCORM Versions: Be familiar with the different versions of SCORM (1.2, 2004) and their requirements. Choose the most appropriate version for your needs. ADL Initiative provides comprehensive resources.

2. Use Authoring Tools: Leverage SCORM-compliant authoring tools for content creation. These tools automatically ensure basic compliance. Examples include Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, and iSpring. eLearning Industry offers comparisons and reviews.

3. Validate Your Content: Utilize the SCORM Cloud’s testing feature or the ADL SCORM Conformance Test Suite to validate your SCORM package against compliance requirements. SCORM Cloud for testing, and ADL for the conformance suite.

4. Implement Best Practices: Follow SCORM best practices for sequencing, navigation, metadata, and content packaging. Refer to the SCORM Best Practices Guide for content developers by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL).

5. Regularly Update and Review: Technology and standards evolve, so regularly review and update your e-learning content and LMS for the latest SCORM compliance requirements.

6. Seek Feedback and Monitor: Collect feedback from learners and instructors on the usability and functionality of SCORM packages. Use LMS reporting features to monitor interaction and engagement.

7. Professional Development: Stay informed about the latest in SCORM and e-learning standards through professional development opportunities, such as webinars, courses, and conferences. Websites like LinkedIn Learning and eLearning Guild offer relevant resources.

By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you can significantly improve SCORM compliance for your e-learning content and systems.

How to Display SCORM Compliance Skills on Your Resume

11. HTML5

HTML5 is the latest version of the Hypertext Markup Language, the standard programming language for creating and structuring web pages and web applications. It introduces new multimedia and interactive elements, enhancing the capability to design more engaging and dynamic educational content.

Why It's Important

HTML5 is essential for Instructional Technologists as it enables the creation of interactive, engaging, and accessible educational content that is compatible across various devices and platforms, enhancing the learning experience.

How to Improve HTML5 Skills

Improving HTML5 involves enhancing accessibility, performance, and compatibility. Here are concise strategies tailored for an Instructional Technologist:

1. Accessibility: Utilize ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and properties to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. Learn more from WebAIM.

2. Semantic HTML: Use HTML5 semantic tags (<article>, <section>, <nav>, etc.) to structure content meaningfully. This aids screen readers and search engines. Explore semantic elements at Mozilla Developer Network (MDN).

3. Responsive Design: Employ CSS media queries to create responsive designs that work on various devices. Get started with responsive design at CSS Tricks.

4. Performance Optimization: Optimize media files and use lazy loading for images and iframes. This improves loading times. Google's Web Fundamentals offers guidance on enhancing website speed.

5. Cross-Browser Compatibility: Test and ensure your HTML5 content works across different browsers. Tools like BrowserStack can help with cross-browser testing.

6. Interactive Elements: Incorporate HTML5 interactive elements like <video>, <audio>, and <canvas> for engaging content, and ensure they're accessible. The HTML5 Doctor is a resource for best practices.

7. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest HTML5 developments and best practices through reputable sources like W3C and MDN.

By focusing on these areas, an Instructional Technologist can significantly improve the quality, accessibility, and user experience of HTML5-based content.

How to Display HTML5 Skills on Your Resume

12. CSS3

CSS3 is the latest version of the Cascading Style Sheets language used in web design and development to control the layout, colors, and fonts of web pages, enhancing user experience and interface design with advanced styling capabilities.

Why It's Important

CSS3 enhances web design and development by providing advanced styling capabilities, improving user experience through responsive design, and allowing for more interactive and visually appealing educational content, which is crucial for an Instructional Technologist aiming to create engaging and accessible learning environments.

How to Improve CSS3 Skills

Improving your CSS3 skills, particularly as an Instructional Technologist, involves understanding the latest design trends, mastering advanced selectors, and implementing responsive design techniques. Here are concise strategies to enhance your CSS3 proficiency:

1. Learn and Practice: Start with the basics and progressively move to advanced topics. Websites like MDN Web Docs offer comprehensive guides and tutorials.

2. Responsive Design: Understand the principles of responsive web design to ensure your projects look great on any device. CSS Tricks offers excellent examples of media queries for different devices.

3. CSS Grid and Flexbox: These layout models offer more flexibility and control. Practice using them through interactive tutorials on CSS Grid Guide and Flexbox Guide.

4. CSS Variables: Learn how to use CSS custom properties (variables) for more dynamic designs. A great starting point is this introduction to CSS variables.

5. Animation and Transitions: Incorporate animations and transitions to enhance user experience. The Animate.css library can be a quick way to add animations.

6. Stay Updated: Follow CSS3 news and updates on websites like CSS Weekly and Smashing Magazine.

7. Practice Projects: Apply your skills on real projects or through platforms like CodePen and Frontend Mentor, where you can find challenges and peer feedback.

8. Code Review: Participate in code review sessions on platforms like GitHub to learn from others and improve your coding standards.

9. Join Communities: Engage with other professionals through forums and groups like Stack Overflow and Reddit’s r/css, to exchange knowledge and stay inspired.

By focusing on these areas and consistently practicing, you'll significantly improve your CSS3 skills, enabling you to create more engaging and effective instructional materials.

How to Display CSS3 Skills on Your Resume