Instructional Coordinators
Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
From people doing the work
As an Instructional Coordinator, my days are a combination of curriculum analysis, collaborating with teachers, and developing new educational materials. It's to see the impact of well-designed instruction on student learning. There's a constant need to stay updated on educational trends and technology, and adapting to different teaching styles is key. It can be challenging to balance administrative tasks with creative development, but the goal of improving education keeps it engaging.
Drawn from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm, https://www.reddit.com/r/instructionaldesign/, https://www.learningguild.com/, https://www.td.org/
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Reddit discussions, Professional Organizations
A day in the life of an Instructional Coordinator
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 95% Team / 5% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- Low
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Instructional Coordinators salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $74,720
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $134,000
- Growth by 2033
- +1.3%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 198%
- Typical student debt
- Very High
Skills you need as an Instructional Coordinator
Hard skills
- Education and Training
- Complex Problem Solving
- Graphics or photo imaging software
Soft skills
- Learning Strategies
- Instructing
- Speaking
Technical complexity: Low
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Articulate 360 (Software): To create interactive e-learning content and courses.
- Adobe Captivate (Software): To develop responsive e-learning courses and simulations.
- Canva (Software): To design engaging visual content, presentations, and infographics for educational materials.
Commonly used
- Thinkific (Platform): To host, market, and sell online courses and educational content.
- Adobe Photoshop (Software): To edit and manipulate images for use in instructional materials.
- Zoom (Software): To facilitate virtual meetings, webinars, and online instructional sessions.
Specialist tools
- OpenCurriculum (Software): To plan and organize lesson plans, units, and curriculum frameworks.
How to become an Instructional Coordinator
- Minimum education
- Master's Degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8
- Years to senior
- 15-25
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Teaching Assistant: Often a stepping stone into education, providing experience with student support and classroom dynamics.
- Special Education Teacher: Experience in adapting curriculum for diverse learning needs is valuable for instructional coordination.
- Teacher (K-12): Direct classroom experience provides a foundational understanding of curriculum implementation and student engagement.
Where you can go from here
- Curriculum Developer: Instructional Coordinators often transition to roles focused purely on creating and refining educational content.
- Educational Consultant: Leveraging expertise to advise various educational institutions on best practices and curriculum strategies.
- Director of Instruction: A leadership role overseeing instructional programs and staff development at a broader organizational level.
- Instructional Designer: Specializing in the systematic design of learning experiences, often with a focus on digital and online environments.
Typical progression
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
- Instructional Coordinators
- or Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Instructional Coordinators job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Very Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as an Instructional Coordinator
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.2/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- The Learning Guild: A community for learning and development professionals, offering conferences, publications, and resources.
- Association for Talent Development (ATD): The world's largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in the workplace.
- ASCD: A professional organization dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading, providing resources for educators and instructional leaders.
Reddit communities
- r/instructionaldesign: A supportive online community for instructional designers to share insights, ask questions, and discuss trends.
Online communities
- Instructional Design Central (IDC) Community: Connects instructional design professionals globally for networking and knowledge sharing.