E-learning developer
E-learning developers create course materials that can be studied on a computer network or online.
Salary Range: £19,000 to £50,000
How to become an e-learning developer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can do a foundation degree or degree in:
- computing
- multimedia design
- education
- educational technology
If you already have a degree or relevant work experience, you can do a postgraduate qualification in e-learning technology.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could do a college course, which may lead onto more advanced qualifications or a higher apprenticeship, or help you to get a trainee position with a company. Courses include:
- A level in Computing
- Level 3 Certificate in Programming
- T level in Digital Production, Design and Development
- Level 3 Diploma in Web Design and Development
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and computing
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
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Apprenticeship
You may be able to complete an advanced or higher apprenticeship in digital learning design or computing.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More information
Work
You could start out as a junior developer or e-learning assistant, if you’ve got computing A levels or equivalent. You’ll also need a working knowledge of web design software.
More information
Career tips
Blackboard and Moodle are widely used by education institutions and an understanding of how these work will be useful.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Learning and Performance Institute for professional development opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about the e-learning industry through the eLearning Network.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- knowledge of English language
- the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could be:
- building online training areas known as virtual learning environments (VLEs)
- adapting off-the-shelf VLE products
- talking with users to find out about their training needs
- working with tutors, trainers or development teams to create online learning materials
- creating interactive multimedia like video clips
- modifying content for use on other platforms, like mobile phones or tablets
- making sure security measures are in place to control access
- writing training support materials
- staying up to date with the latest design methods and technologies
- maintaining a VLE on an ongoing basis
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience you could progress to a senior development role, IT project management, e-learning research, strategy planning, technical sales and business development.
You could also move into related areas like educational or training consultancy, educational software development, systems analysis or the computer games industry.