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A trainer is an educator or instructor who works in a business environment and conveys knowledge or skills to a group of adults, such as employees or others seeking some form of training. Corporate trainers may be hired full-time by a company to train employees and assist in the instruction, such as for software applications or other business requirements. Some trainers are independent contractors, who may consult, work for training firms, and visit businesses on a short-term basis to train employees, or provide specific forms of instruction.

Corporate trainers are usually situated within the human resources department, but trainers can specialize in everything from marketing, finance, education and compliance. Depending on the job and the situation, a trainer may be involved in designing training plans and schedules, selecting appropriate training methods depending on the needs (virtual, simulated, mentoring, on the job training, professional development classes, etc.), and designing and developing training programs (outsourced or in-house). A corporate trainer may provide on-the-job education to newly hired employees as well as enhanced education to current employees to keep everyone up-to-date on changes in the industry that affect job requirements. A trainer working with a non-profit trainer may provide some other form of education, such as job skills to assist adults with job transitions.

A trainer is a kind of teacher that usually works with adults, must be able to speak in front of a crowd, produce and understand training materials, work with individuals or groups, and be able to evaluate how well people have learned or applied the intended content. Trainers might work manually with written materials, or use educational and testing software as part of the training process. There is a difference between standard teaching and training. Teaching usually focuses on the conveying information, such as by direct instruction in a classroom lecture. Training is usually more skills based, where people are learning to use and apply the tools and skills they need.

One thing to realize as a trainer is that conducting training sessions in person or virtually is only one part of the job, as there is also the planning and organizing of the training sessions and decisions on how to determine their success. Training is a growing field, as there is a predicted growth of 21% in training and development jobs between 2010 and 2020 ().

If you are a teacher considering transitioning to a trainer, then you are not alone. Being a teachers has provided you with an excellent experience of imparting information clearly and concisely to large groups, managing instruction, and performing a variety of assessment. Teachers have many transferable skills that can be very valuable for a career as a corporate, non-profit, or government trainer ().

Sample trainer job description

The Trainer is responsible for conducting training with payers, providers, vendors, and employees. The position will also assist in the development of training materials for in person and online performance and support documents as needed. The position will interact closely with other team members to provide the highest quality of training materials/programs and customer service. Applicants must be self-directed and may also be called upon to serve in multiple roles in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial corporate environment.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Delivery of Training

• Conducts external (providers, vendors, payers) product and soft skills training via web conferencing tools and onsite, as needed
• Records webinars, as appropriate, and performs related administrative tasks
• Conducts product training for employees
• Coordinates and facilitates user group sessions

Development of Training

• Creates presentations and materials for internal and external training
• Research subject matter/topic and consult with subject matter experts (SMEs) to create accurate and relevant training and performance support materials
• Researches and evaluates third-party vendor training materials
• Conducts training needs assessments and analyzes various data to identify training needs and training ROI
• Participates in usability testing for online training materials
• Assists in developing user guides, job aids, and performance support documents
• Utilize learning management system (LMS) for training programs, as needed

The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience
• Experience analyzing, designing, and developing training materials to support complex business processes, technical training and soft skills training
• Experienced in delivering training and presentations to both large and small audiences
  • 1 - 3 years of technical writing experience preferred
• Experience using web conferencing tools to deliver and record training
• Experienced in creating job aids, user guides, and online performance support materials
• Experienced in managing learning projects
• Experienced in using authoring tools, such as Articulate, Presenter, Captivate, or Lectora
• Experience administering a Learning Management System (LMS) a plus
• Experience in a health care provider environment a plus
• Training certifications a plus
• Experience using social media for learning a plus
• Experience using mobile learning solutions a plus

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent presentation skills in both technical and soft skills training
• Knowledge of latest learning technologies and innovations
• Excellent customer service skills
• Organizational efficiency and multi-tasking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to effectively coordinate with and gather information from multiple departments across the organization
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels and external entities
• Excellent relationship building skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed (minimal guidance).
• Knowledge of instructional design methodologies a plus.

If you are interested in becoming an educational trainer, please visit our program page for more information on applying to the program.

(difference is applied and theory)

Education Technology (also known as "EdTech") refers to an area of technology devoted to the development and application of tools (including software, hardware, and processes) intended to promote education in a variety of settings and situations. So an educational technologist (also sometimes known as a learning technologist) is a person who is trained in the field of educational technology and can analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate process and tools to enhance learning.

According to the The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), "Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources" (Richey, R. C., Silber, K. H., & Ely, D. P. (2008). Reflections on the 2008 AECT Definitions of the Field. TechTrends, 52(1), 24-25.). The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology defines it as "a systematic, iterative process for designing instruction or training used to improve performance" (). Michael Spector in his book explains that "Educational Technology involves the disciplined application of knowledge for the purpose of improving learning, instruction and/or performance" (Spector, J. M. (2015). Foundations of educational technology: Integrative approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.).

Technology has become an important aspect of all forms of education and corporate training. Because of this there is a need for people who can assist in the designing, developing, implementing, and assessing instruction. Here are just a few of the titles an educational technologist may have in K12, higher education, corporate, non-profit and government work situations:

• Instructional Designer
• K-12 Teacher
• College/University Instructor/Professor
• Trainer
• Course Developer
• Technical Writer
• Consultant
• Curriculum Developer
• Instructional Materials Developer
• Learning Resources Manager
• Instructional Computing Services
• Distance Education Instructor

As an example of an educational technologist job, T. C. was hired by the Department of Energy as a Technical Writer, where he evaluated existing organizational documents for use as teaching tools and created educational resource materials that was used to teach science in K12 schools, and as part of that position he presented training workshops for science teachers in the strategies and materials that were developed.

Instructional designers apply the theories of learning in the practice of design, development, utilization, management, evaluation, and resources for learning to produce outcomes for a specific group of people. The goal is to facilitate learners in acquiring knowledge, skills and abilities in an appropriate, effective and appealing format. Instructional designers are employed across in a variety of business and educational situations, ranging from kindergarten and college to corporate, government and the military. Depending on the project and the organization, they might work individually or as part of a team. As a career, instructional designers anticipates job growth for this role to increase by 13 percent within the next ten years (United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018).

Instructional designers need to possess a versatile skill set in order to create effective learning courses and materials to meet their intended goals. These professionals not only need to have an understanding of learning design and theory, but also have an understanding of technology as well, given that they:

• Design instructional using Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Evaluate new e-learning materials
• Create educational podcasts, videos and content
• Design and revise education for new and established learning models
• Implement feedback from program reviews
• Train others on how to deliver learning material
• Research innovations in both learning design and education

Instructional Designer to design and develop learning and practicing experiences often by working with other Educational Designers, Educational Support Coordinators, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to collaboratively design and develop innovative curriculum design and effective learning environments including through the use of educational technologies. Educational design is a general term used to cover both curriculum design and learning design process. Educational Designers usually work on a wider variety of projects in a variety of subjects, in comparison, Learning Designers usually focus on just one subject area or one course.

If you are interested in becoming an instructional designer, please visit our program page for more information on applying to the program.

Sample designer job description

Position Summary:

The Instructional Design and Developer will design and create materials grounded in sound educational theory. She/he will utilize the best practices in technology, while developing multimedia e-learning or classroom courses that may require development of classroom instructor led courses. Incumbents in this position are required to have thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles of adult and student learning and perform highly complex duties in instructional design.

Essential Functions:

• Design and develop complex, significant, and time-sensitive instructional materials and learning modules.
• Analyze target audience, job task, learner environment, and existing content to identify appropriate instructional strategies and develop measurable learning objectives.
• Partner and coordinate with Subject Matter Expert (SME) in course design, curriculum development, and material creation.
• Utilizes sound instructional design and development methodologies.
• Collect and analyze program data and participate in evaluating training courses and program effectiveness; identify problem areas and make recommendations for course or program improvements.
• Model ethical behavior and execute job responsibilities.
• Provide development services to managers in selection, use and implementation of technology and practice and may make recommendations to individual managers, and supervisors, and/or departments based on client needs.
• Select and use a variety of techniques to define and sequence instructional content and course delivery strategies.
• Conduct media analysis to determine the most effective and efficient learning solution (e.g. WBT, blended, ILT, simulation, job aid, etc.).
• Determine evaluation and assessment strategies.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the training and learning management system materials, documentation, manuals, job-aids, quick-fact reference guides and other training aids used in classroom and e-learning courses to effectively deliver services.
• Maintain standards and guidelines for the design, programming, development and documentation of instructional services. Reviews innovative teaching and educational practices and assesses potential incorporation into standards and guidelines for instructional services.
• May coach, counsel or train less-experienced staff, may also direct the work of others, may provide input in the performance management, goal setting and review processes.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Communicate effectively in visual, oral, and written form and possess strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups of people in a corporate environment
• Strong ability to design multimedia e-learning and instructor led courses using sound instructional design methodologies.
• Proficient in the use of e-Learning authoring tools.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook); advanced in PowerPoint. Detail-oriented, self-starter, and self-motivator.
• Ability to work well independently with minimum supervision, setting priorities, and demonstrating excellent project management skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time.

A technology engaged teacher is one that seeks out technologies that might enhance their own productivity and their student learning. Most students today are already technology users, and they often expect their teachers to incorporate it into their teaching. A good teacher will make the effort to determine which technologies will support and enhance student learning, and learn how to use them. Technology engaged teachers should be comfortable with the basic operations of the technology before introducing new technology to a class, and to provide good instructions for students on how to use it before expecting them to complete assignments. Such a teacher is one who consider how technology needs to be 'designed in' as part of the overall teaching approach.

Technology coaches work with a variety of teachers to develop technology-enhanced lessons and instruction, and sometimes providing in-class peer mentoring. The purpose of such a coach is to assist the school's faculty in understanding how technology can be used to make the learning more engaging and relevant for students. They also provide support to teachers in understanding and use the vast options of technology applications and devices. The technology coach or even a technology enhanced teacher can act as a role model and provide support to teachers concerning technology integration. A technology coach is not the IT or tech support person who comes into the classroom to fix the printer or install software. The technology coach is a person who helps teachers improve their practice, which might be using technology, trying different strategies, trying new classroom approaches, or helping them find resources to support them in their day-to-day teaching.

One thing to remember about a technology or instructional coach is that they are not a content expert in all areas. Rather, teachers that they work with are the content experts, the coaches bring new ideas, resources, and support to the situation.

If you are interested in becoming an educational technologist, please visit our program page for more information on applying to the program.