Statement

Job Application: Multimedia & Module Production Specialist

Please concisely identify why you are interested in this position, and the specific experience, skills and attributes that make you a good fit for this role.”

The position of Multimedia & Module Production Specialist interests me because I already have a good idea of what might be involved, and I enjoy being able to combine my education background and technology skills to create meaningful materials. I’ve found the work that I’ve been doing since September 2020 fulfilling and a labour of love.

Two attributes that make me a good fit is curiosity and the delight I take in learning and sharing. Knowledge, skills, techniques, activities. Everything is pretty much fair game. And I’m not afraid to ask or research if I need to learn more. I have a strong Personal Learning Network from personal contacts and colleagues. My current position has given me an opportunity to gain new skills and participate in activities that stretch my knowledge and abilities; however, it is important for me not just to learn but have an opportunity to share knowledge.

I have long been interested in combining education and technology. Educational Technology was such a new field when I first started that there were no real opportunities in the area. Much of what I've learned has been out of interest, with the help of conferences, webinars, networking, classes, pretty much anything I could find. I enjoy jumping in and figuring out new technologies, new educational theories, new ways of thinking.... and I enjoy making new meaning out of what I learn. Being given an opportunity to develop instructional materials using a variety of media and approaches is a dream job!

My art background would also be a benefit in this position. As an art teacher and artist, aesthetics and design are important to me. Although I have never had the opportunity to study graphic design or User Experience design formally, I am interested in both areas and hope to take more courses. I'm so impressed with the content, useability, and visual appeal of the CTSI website redesign. And as an artist, I do have the manual dexterity and precision that is required of the position.

I'm an educator at heart and enjoy the opportunity to interact with others. I am a good listener and enjoy helping individuals and groups, as I have been doing for many years at the high-school level, particularly around technology and pedagogy. I have had the opportunity to participate in faculty consultations and they’ve been rewarding.

I’m a quick learner when it comes to technology. Since I’ve been at CTSI I’ve learned how to navigate and create content in Quercus. MS Teams and a few other tools (such as Visio) were new to me but have become an integral part of my work. I’ve learned – and used – H5P. I have taught myself how to use Storyboard 360. I’ve been called on to edit videos while captioning – join and truncate segments, cut out dead time, make corrections. I have also used a variety of image editing tools such as GIMP and advanced Google Drawing.

I have years of experience with many of the Responsibilities and Duties listed in the job description due to my position as the only Tech person at my high school. On my own initiative I created resource websites and documents to address various needs and those resources were adopted by the school. In my position it was assumed that I would keep our school's tech running on a day-to-day basis and train staff on how to use what was available. I am used to responding to a variety of requests from administration, fellow teachers, and students. There was no formal mandate that I do this; it was something I did to be helpful.

Over the years I have worked with various vendors to purchase software for the school and would then configure them to our needs. I am currently the administrator of our Google Enterprise for Education account and recently added Chrome Management to our software. I've also helped to create and maintain a Distance Learning website that I have needed to get up and running multiple times over the last two years, and facilitated the creation of Google Classrooms for each teacher.

I do have some gaps in your listed requirements. I don't have much experience with resolving audio-visual equipment, but I'm not afraid to give it a go. I am also not a videographer but can use basic equipment and software to create instructional videos. I understand the consequence of errors in providing technical support and have no hesitancy in calling on the expertise of others to assist when I need help or clarification.

I would appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to work as a Multimedia & Module Production Specialist and hope that I am a good fit for the position. Thank you for your consideration.