What does an instructional design manager do?

The primary job of curriculum specialists is to develop, assess, and improve curricula and instruction. They are responsible for guiding teachers on their teaching methods, conducting research and making recommendations for improvements, and evaluating existing curricula alongside teachers and administrators. A curriculum specialist is expected to assist in creating and revising instructional materials, analyzing student data, and evaluating and improving the utilization of classroom materials. You are also responsible for finding appropriate curricula and textbooks to improve the student body's learning outcomes.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an instructional design manager are more likely to require skills like "project management," "learning solutions," "training programs," and "learning objectives." On the other hand, a job as a curriculum specialist requires skills like "math," "k-12," "mathematics," and "state standards." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Curriculum writers are professionals who are responsible for developing new academic instructional materials, lessons, and activities to be used by teachers or instructional staff from school districts, media companies, and other businesses. These writers are required to conduct professional development sessions for all staff about the design and changes in the new curriculum. They must produce instructional videos to help educators and coaches in preparing educational and instructional materials. Curriculum writers must also head a pilot project to evaluate potential opportunities for extended learning through virtual classroom and distance learning strategies.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real instructional design manager resumes. While instructional design manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "project management," "learning solutions," "training programs," and "development programs," curriculum writers use skills like "assessment items," "student achievement," "language arts," and "science curriculum."

A curriculum coordinator facilitates the development and implementation of curriculums at schools, colleges, and other organizations that offer learning services. They primarily assist teachers in improving school curriculums by conducting research and assessments, monitoring students' academic progress, developing learning resources and materials, coordinating with internal and external parties, promoting educational programs, and securing the supplies that the curriculum requires. Additionally, a curriculum coordinator participates in implementing school policies and recommends new policies based on research findings.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an instructional design manager is likely to be skilled in "subject matter experts," "project management," "learning solutions," and "elearning," while a typical technology teacher/technology coordinator is skilled in "mathematics," "technology curriculum," "computer lab," and "k-12."

Even though a few skill sets overlap between instructional design managers and curriculum coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an instructional design manager might have more use for skills like "project management," "learning solutions," "training programs," and "learning objectives." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of curriculum coordinators require skills like "k-12," "educational programs," "mathematics," and "staff development. "