Roshan Kolar
[SFHEA, CSM®], LXD, L&D, EdTech, ID
Google for Education Certified Innovator
Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE)
Google Certified Educator (GCE)
Adobe Creative Educator (ACE)
Apple Teacher
About Me
I have over 2 decades of work experience in instructional design, digital learning experience, educational technology, classroom innovation, digital media, marketing, online advertising, A/V production, strategy and project management. I have managed projects independently and with teams. My recent role was as the Head of eLearning and Innovation at one of Oman’s premier private HEIs. I’m a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK and have an MSc in Information Management and Security from the University of Bedfordshire, UK. My core area of interest is Digital Learning Experience where I get to use most of my skills which ranges from creating digital assets to product marketing. During my career I had the privilege of working with some prominent brands such as Pearson Education, HP, Omantel, Chrysler, Nestle and Mwasalat.
When I’m not working, I enjoy my hobbies that include collecting action figures and die-cast car models, taking my RC rig for an outdoor adventure and I watch a lot of movies. I read blogs focused on classroom innovations and digital marketing trends.
Experience
Head of e-Learning and Innovation
Sep 2020 - Jun 2023
As the Head of e-Learning and Innovation, my core responsibility is to establish the vision and goals of the college's e-Learning culture and oversee the associated work plans. I support the development of strategic initiatives, related policies and procedures and programme promotion; ensure compliance and accessibility regulations. As an innovator, I ensure the college's physical and online academic delivery is powered by sustainable technology solutions by giving the teaching staff the right training.
Head of Marketing and Communications
Sep 2018 - Aug 2020
During this role, I had aligned my operational plan with the institution's strategy and successfully delivered the organisation's marketing, student recruitment and PR goals. I coached and guided the marketing team on A/V, digital media assets, website design, CRM, online marketing (Google, Instagram, LinkedIn and FB ads), publishing and content creation. I oversaw the development and implementation of external communications policies and procedures. The role also included managing the production and dissemination of marketing and communication materials across all departments and keeping them in line with the marketing policies and brand guidelines.
Director of eLearning
Jan 2016 - Aug 2018
During my period as the Director of eLearning, I provided strategic and operational management for the department and the HEI. I closely worked with my team and academics on eLearning instructional design, course creation, video production, course animation assets, digital module graphics, curriculum design and ensured that the learning systems were properly secured and backed up. I developed instructional technology support based on a solid understanding of the institution's eLearning practices and instructional strategies. I facilitated the use of course design standards, procedures and pedagogical practices that apply to the institution's eLearning courses. Research in the areas of instructional design and ed-tech were part of my role which included presenting papers at regional and international conferences.
Learning Technology Advisor
Aug 2013 - Dec 2015
I managed and administered the Institution's Learning Management System (LMS) using Moodle. The role required me to provide timely training and support to staff and students after major LMS upgrades, especially for Turnitin (a plagiarism detection tool) and learning/teaching resources. I maintained timely backups and automated server tasks efficiently using scripts, I kept servers updated for stability (space and memory) and security. I created multimedia projects for the institution using authoring tools and embedded them in the LMS. Training staff members to use interactive learning tools for classroom activities was part of my role as a Learning Technology Advisor.
Media & Tech Manager
May 2009 - Aug 2013
During my tenure at Incubix I managed 3 international team of designers and developers; from Oman, India and Pakistan to deliver web solutions and applications for our clients in Oman. I managed the in-house team of designers and developers to cater to the local clients for corporate branding, websites, server solutions, video production, animation, mobile applications, CRM, ERP, LMS, payment gateways, CCTV Solutions, POS systems etc. I used to meet clients with the marketing team to visualise their expectations and requirements, advise clients on what is technically feasible and produce a proposal that includes realistic timescales and costs.
Creative Engineer
Jul 2007 - Apr 2009
My professional career began with Robosoft, this is where I planned, designed and developed eLearning applications using Adobe Flash and Macromedia Director. Major part of my job description was to collaborate with the windows developers to integrate Flash assets into Microsoft .NET framework for an international project. I converted Macromedia Director files into optimised Adobe Flash files for software porting purposes, I had to also ensure that the files were compatible on all available Operating Systems. I designed and developed interactive explainer tutorials for HP printer's user manual using Adobe Flash and ensured that the application worked on Windows, Linux and macOS.
MY MOTTO
Always strive to create something that people will talk
about, even when you are not in the room.
Skills
Things I've picked up over the years
Graphic Design
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Express
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Corel Draw
- Autodesk 3DS MAX
- Prezi
- Canva
- Figma
Motion Graphics
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe After Effects
- Apple Final Cut Pro X
- Magix Movie Edit Pro
- Camtasia Studio
- iMovie
Audio Tools
- Adobe Audition
- Audacity
- WavePad Audio Editor
- Sony Sound Forge
Authoring Tools
- Adobe Captivate
- Adobe Presenter
- H5P (HTML 5 Package)
Data Analytics
- Moodle ReportsICMS
- ICMS Reports
- ZoHo Analytics
- Google Analytics
- Social Media Analytics via ZoHo Social
- Microsoft Teams Analytics
- Google App Analytics and other cloud services analytics.
CMS & LMS
- Moodle
- Joomla
- Wordpress
- Blackboard Learn
- Google Classroom
Studio Skillset
- Canon DSLR for Photo and Video
- Gimbal stabiliser experience
- Worked with GoPro’s for filming
- Lighting with Godox accessories
- Wireless audio and streaming experience using Saramonic devices
LXD Models
- UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF)
- ADDIE
- Rapid Instructional Design
- Bloom's Taxonomy
- Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction
- Design Thinking (GoogleIE)
Education
Academic Qualifications and Professional Certifications
Master of Science (MSc)
Information Management and Security
I graduated in 2017 from University of Bedfordshire, UK with a commendation. My final project was on advanced security framework for an IoT network. The Masters programme was an accredited degree offered by a UoB (UK) in partnership with Majan University College. The postgraduate degree was done under a full employee scholarship programme. Some of the core modules in the programme were Project Management, Data Modelling, Computer Security, Data Governance and Network Administration.
Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
Information Science & Engineering
I graduated in 2006 from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, India with a First Class Degree in Information Science & Engineering. My final project was called 'Prochat' a corporate chat system to enhance employee communication and productivity. Some of the core subjects during the programme were Data Structures with C, OOP with C++, Analysis and Design of Algorithms, OS, Unix and Shell Programming, Software Engineering, Multimedia, Computer Graphics, Computer Networks, Object Oriented Analysis and Design, Microprocessors, UI Design, Distributed OS, CGI Programming, Cryptography and Software Testing.
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
AdvanceHE, UK
Senior Fellowship is awarded to professionals who demonstrate they meet the criteria of Descriptor 3 (D3) of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and supporting learning in higher education. My SFHEA credential reflects my thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning.
Certified ScrumMaster®
Scrum Alliance, scrumalliance.org
A scrum master is the facilitator for an agile development team. Scrum is a methodology that allows a team to self-organize and make changes quickly, in accordance with agile principles. The scrum master manages the process for how information is exchanged. Through the certification process, I have learnt the Scrum framework and gained an understanding of team roles, events, and artefacts.
Google Certified
Google Certified Educator Level 1
Google Certified Educator Level 2
Google for Education Certified Innovator
The Google for Education Certified Innovator Program recognises and supports top educators who are excited to grow professionally, advocate for impactful technology, and innovate to improve classrooms, schools and local communities. I'm the second Certified Innovator from Oman and I was the only representative from Oman in the VIA22 EMEA cohort. I'm currently working on projects that highlight the effectiveness of Google Workspace in Higher Education with Chrome devices and ChromeOS.
Adobe Certified
Adobe Certified Educator (ACE)
I received the ACE badge and certificate when I completed a critical thinking and creativity course regarding the process of creativity for all disciplines and educational subjects. The bearer of this credential leverages their skills to foster creativity into the education process and teaching and learning practice to prepare students with 21st Century skills.
Microsoft Certified
Microsoft Innovative Educator
Educator Community Influencer
Educator Community Contributor
The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) status recognises educators who are using technology to pave the way for their peers for better learning and student outcomes. MIEs use Microsoft tools in the classroom and have learned the fundamentals of some of these tools. For me getting an MIE status is the first step on a journey of joining a professional learning network of enthusiastic educators who come together to learn, share, and grow.
Apple Certified
Apple Teacher
The Apple Teacher certification program is designed to introduce educators to ways they can use Apple products for teaching and learning. The program can be used by people who have never touched an Apple product and want to learn how to use them, as well as people who are great with Apple products and are looking for new ways to use them in the classroom. Upon successful completion of the Apple Teacher certification program I received a digital badge and certificate.
LinkedIn Certified
Certified in LinkedIn Marketing Strategy
The LinkedIn Marketing Strategy certification evaluates your proficiency in LinkedIn's organic and paid advertising solutions throughout your media strategy. I have explored LinkedIn ads and job promotions previously therefore getting myself certified with a LinkedIn certification added value to my expertise.
Talks and Awards
Papers Presented / Awards
2021 Q1: Presented at Innovation Arabia 2021
Presented my project on 'AI based support chatbots in Higher Education' at Innovation Arabia 2021. IA14 was an International Conference hosted by the reputed Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai. IA14 was a great opportunity for me to showcase one of my lockdown initiatives.
2021 Q2: Presented at QS Maple 2021
The virtual international conference was organized by Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, KSA. The paper/project was titled "Use of AI based chatbots in Higher Education". My track was focused on Powering Innovation and the session keynote was addressed by the VC of University of South Africa, Prof. Puleng LenkaBula.
2018: Presented a paper at BETT MEA, Abu Dhabi
The Chromelab: Innovative Learning Spaces Supporting 21st Century Education in the Higher Education Sector.
2017: Turnitin Global Innovation Awards
My honourable mention was the only entry that got selected from the country during the 2017 GI Awards.
Honourable mention for the category 'Writing with Integrity' for the Africa and Middle East region.
2015: Presented a Case Study at Innovation Arabia 8, Dubai
Learn & Engage: A case study on centralised approach to increasing student participation in online learning.
2013: Presented a paper at Moodle Majlis, Oman
Motivating through Moodle at Majan University College: Introducing Digital Badges to increase student participation.
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