eLearning Developer Jobs & the Skills You Need to Get Hired

eLearning Developers build interactive digital learning for all kinds of learning experiences. They design and develop interactive online modules, mobile training, and micro-lessons. Demand for this role is growing as part of the move to make digital learning more accessible.

In today’s quickly changing world, the need for eLearning developers extends far beyond corporate learning. Both education entities and non-profit organizations also need professionals who can support digital learning and professional development essential to the modern workplace.

This increased focus on helping employees and students take control of their learning, means eLearning Developers are in hot demand right now and for the foreseeable future. But what does an eLearning Developer do?

What does an eLearning Developer do?

eLearning Developers use software to develop digital learning experiences that can be put into an LMS or CMS. The most popular software are:

• • Articulate Storyline
• • Adobe Captivate
• • Lectora Online
• • iSpring Suite

Using these tools, eLearning developers build lessons to fit both the instructional designer’s plan and the confines of the technology. They bring together the training and development plan, graphics, text, and multimedia that make up a course.

Instructional designers and elearning developers often work together, although each is responsible for a slightly different stage of the project. Some eLearning developers serve a dual role as both designer and developer.

Content writers, videographers, and graphic designers may help the elearning developer create the elements for a project. Developers also rely on subject matter experts to ensure that the course material is accurate.

Developers may create new web-based courses, reusable learning objects, or other elearning solutions. They may update or customize existing courses and are often asked to convert existing training into a digital format.

Types of Elearning developers

First, note that there are three main types of eLearning Developers. Understanding each one can help you figure out where you fit in the development ecosystem. Building the right skills can help you excel in these roles.

The eLearning Developer

The eLearning Developer focuses on development of eLearning modules. They use elearning software to create interactive modules informed by design documents, storyboards, scripts, graphic and multimedia assets, narration, and style guides.

These professionals are often experts in eLearning software such as Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise or Adobe Captivate. Using these tools they create basic to custom interactive learning modules with branching pathways, quizzes, and interactive activities. The development team relies on the eLearning Developer to understand the types of learning experiences that can be created using the available tools.

They also understand how to upload and publish SCORM packages to an LMS and how to update outdated modules to a new version of the software.

The Creative eLearning Developer

The Creative eLearning Developer goes beyond development of eLearning modules. They are also skilled at creating most or all of the graphic and multimedia assets for the course. They have strong graphic design and potentially other multimedia development ability. Many have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.

Creative eLearning Developers are skilled in developing strong UI/UX and designing the look and feel of the course. They may create graphic assets like banners, lower thirds, iconography, animations, and more. Most Creative eLearning Developers will have advanced skills in the full suite of products such as Articulate 360 and Captivate Creative Cloud.

The Full-Cycle Instructional Designers/Developers

The full cycle Instructional Designer/Developer works with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to design the learning experience. Together they define the outcomes, create a chunked and scaffolded learning plan, and develop storyboards and scripts. Then the Full-Cycle developer builds the eLearning modules.

Many have basic proficiency in graphic design and other multimedia production and editing tools. These skills enable them to create all of the visual and multimedia assets needed for an online course.

If you’re a full-cycle instructional designer, you should still have specialities. Employers will want to know where you really shine in terms of tools and the phases of the ADDIE process. Understand your strengths so you can speak to them in your resume and job interviews.

Who Hires eLearning Developers

The short answer is everyone. Recently, even the Denver Broncos announced 3 new key hires that included an Instructional Designer. Corporations, non-profits, government agencies, universities, publishers, K-12, and more are all hiring. Demand for eLearning developers across industries is strong and likely to stay that way.

Are there remote elearning developer jobs?

Yes, elearning developers can and often do work remotely. Some are freelancers or contract workers, but many are employed full-time by an organization.

Some organizations offer short-term and long-term contracts for elearning developers. This work might include converting instructor-led-training to web-based-training (ILT to WBT), republishing for version updates, optimizing for mobile compatibility, or reshaping learning into micro modules.

Whether remote or in-person, the work environment tends to be fast-paced and collaborative. The ability to work well with others while managing multiple priorities is essential to success in this role.

Would you be a good elearning developer?

Do you have strong technical skills and an understanding of the latest pedagogy and learning theory? Do you have design skills? Then you might be a good elearning developer.

Curiosity can take you a long way in elearning development. If you’re the kind of person who is always looking for ways to make a course just a little bit better, this job might be the right fit for you. The ability to collaborate while also taking full responsibility for your piece of the course development puzzle is essential.

What do you need to become one?

Most employers are looking for experience in instructional design, eLearning development or instructional technology. If you have a degree or certificate in any of these areas, you could be a strong candidate. You should be familiar with instructional design frameworks like ADDIE and with technical standards like SCORM.

You’ll need expertise in either Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate, to be a successful elearning developer. Knowing these tools means you can immediately add value in learning creation and proactively solve issues. If you’ve never used this software, sign up for a free trial so you can practice and create a sample project to share with potential employers.

Experience in graphic design, animation, video production, or content writing can help you stand out among other applicants.

Education level requirements

Many employers will require a bachelor’s degree and prefer a degree in instructional design, educational technology, computer science, or other related subjects. A degree in one of these preferred areas may not be necessary if you have relevant experience and strong samples in an online portfolio.

Elearning developer skills: prepare for your job search

Take a look at your resume and see if you can honestly add these elearning developer skills:

• • eLearning Software: Articulate Storyline or Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate or Creative Suite, Lectora Online, iSpring Suite
• • Other Software Tools; Camtasia, Screenflow, H5P, Premier Pro, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Vyond, Illustrator,
• • Coding Languages: CSS, HTML5, XHTML, and JavaScript
• • Familiarity with SCORM standards
• • Adult learning theory and instructional design best practices
• • Storyboarding and scripting
• • Understanding of User Experience
• • Design principles
• • Eye for detail
• • Project planning

Make sure you include any education or certifications that highlight your qualifications including your experience in related roles like instructional design. Be prepared to share samples of your work. A simple portfolio is essential for eLearning developers to show off your skills.

Teamed is here to help you find your next job as an eLearning Developer or whatever role you’re seeking in digital learning. Check out our job board or contact us today.