Educational Technologist - SPARK Schools Support
SPARK Schools, South Africa
Job Description
Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOU0TYnNsZo
Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/
SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.
The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.
SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 20 primary schools, 4 high schools and serving over 15,000 families in 2023. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.
Purpose of Role:
The Educational Technologist drives student achievement in the SPARK Schools network by being the custodian of the SPARK Schools’ blended learning education model. The Educational Technologist supports SPARK Schools by developing, designing and implementing instructional systems that are aligned and integrated to the classroom curriculum and online learning, for the improvement of the learning process. The Educational Technologist will monitor and evaluate the functionality and effectiveness of the Blended Learning Models and technologies used to support the model and improve on those identified gaps, where required. This includes computer hardware and software, developing e-Learning courses and projects, creating instruction videos, and sometimes setting up Learning Management Systems. Identifying the best technology for each individual classroom application is key.
Reports To: Head of School Achievement
Responsibilities:
Research and Design
- Research, design, or supplement the academic curriculum for all subjects and grades based on successful models and approaches.
- Research new and innovative and cost savvy blended learning curriculum practices globally, regionally and locally.
- Participate in the design and implementation of systems to assess student achievement.
- Lead the refinement and articulation of long-term sustainability, scalability, and operating principles of the SPARK Schools blended learning models.
- Select and evaluate blended learning programs and ensure that the schools have research-based programs that are likely to accelerate performance across different primary school phases.
- Develop and curate academic content that is aligned with government standards, SPARK’s best practice, and international expectations and benchmarks.
- Document and communicate scope and sequence for each grade level and subject, in conjunction with internal assessments.
- Actively seek innovative practices and new technologies to improve instructional systems and practices.
- Synthesize research around the effectiveness of blended learning models, internal best practices, and challenges to design and pilot a hybrid learning model that aligns with SPARK's instructional practices, beliefs and values, and delivers strong student achievement results.
- Spearhead future blended learning pilots to test and inform models for wide-scale implementation to provide a high quality, personalised education program for primary school students.
- Develop content and assessments that meet local government standards, SPARK’s best practice, and international expectations and benchmarks.
- Responsible for the design and procurement of Learning Lab and Flex space collateral and/or input to any changes or requirements
- Responsible for identifying quality content providers.
- Responsible for actively engaging with content providers and releases.
- Responsible for budget planning and supplier payments and/or input to any changes or requirements
Implementation
- Lead the implementation of blended learning models that supports the integration of technology using research-based strategies.
- Provide regular input and updates to the School Achievement Manager’s on scholar accessibility to online resources
- Collaborate with the leadership team on professional development of Blended Learning Facilitators; develop and lead professional development as appropriate.
- Work with IT and Systems and Data and Technology Teams to Support system integrations
- Maintain staff and scholar data related tickets and requests through help portals
- Integrate curricula