Overview

Planetizen has recently launched Planetizen Courses http://courses.planetizen.com/ , the next generation of online training in planning and related fields. Our online video courses are available anytime and anywhere you have an Internet connection.

Planetizen Courses are developed in collaboration with working professionals to provide practical skills that planning professionals can use in their work.

Planetizen is seeking experienced instructors to develop one-hour, computer-based courses on a freelance basis. Instructors develop and record courses (video, audio, and screen capture) from the instructor's own Mac OS computer using software provided by Planetizen. Instructors can work anytime, from any location.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of teaching experience (any field, any format).
• Minimum of 3 years of Planning or related experience.
• Demonstrated expertise (3+ years) with one or more topics.
• Technical proficiency with the Mac OS.
• Excellent computer/Internet literacy.
• Access to a modern Mac OS 10.6+ computer (Min 2Ghz CPU, 4GB RAM). (At this time we are seeking instructors who can deliver instruction only on Macs due to the recording software we use.)
• Access to a webcam (minimum 640x480 resolution) connected to your Mac (a built in iSight is fine).
• Complete fluency in English.
• Strong presentation skills.
• A suitable working environment that includes a quiet, well-lit environment with a neutral-color wall in the background.

Topics
We are seeking instructors with experience across a diverse set of fields to develop video courses. We know we want courses on the following topics, but we are also open to topics not explicitly mentioned here. If you propose a course on a topic not mentioned here, please be sure to tell us how/why you think it will be a compelling course.

• Adobe Photoshop (for planning, visualization)
• Adobe Illustrator (for planning, visualization)
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design*
• AutoCAD Civil/Civil 3D*
• AutoCAD LT*
• Cisco WebEx
• Citrix GoToWebinar
• Current planning law (for CM credit)
• Facebook Groups/Pages for Planning
• Google Docs (for collaborative writing/editing)
• Google Maps
• GRASS GIS
• Land F/X*
• Microsoft Project* (managing planning projects)
• Open Geo Suite*
• Open Trip Planner*
• Planning ethics
• Second Life (for public participation, visualization)
• SeeClickFix
• TransCAD*
• UrbanSim*
• WalkScore
• Wikis (for public participation)

*For Windows-based or Linux-based software products, instructors will need to have a Windows emulator running on their Mac-OS computer (such as VMWare, Parallels, Remote Desktop to a Windows machine, Virtual Box, etc). Instructors with this configuration will receive a payment premium to recognize the increased technical complexity of the configuration.

Responsibilities

• Participate in an initial orientation call or Skype meeting.
• Develop a course outline in consultation with Planetizen.
• Record and deliver an initial 5-minute sample.
• Record a screencast course of 50-55 minutes, including video, audio and screencast content.
• Provide a course and chapter summary for all recorded materials.
• Courses must be completed within 30 days of the project start date.

Compensation

• Compensation is on a per course basis.
• Compensation usually ranges from $250-$600 per hour of instruction.
• Designation as a Planetizen Courses Adjunct Instructor (2 courses), Associate Instructor (4 courses) or Master Instructor (6 courses).

To Apply

• Please submit a cover letter stating your teaching and/or planning-related experience.
• Please submit a one-paragraph summary our brief outline of one or more courses you'd like to propose.
• Please submit a resume.
• Please provide a 30-second audio/video of yourself discussing any topic. Feel free to use Photo Booth (Mac), and upload your video sample securely to https://dropbox.yousendit.com/Urban-Insight . We realize that for some people this is an exercise in self-consciousness, however, since you will be recording video as part of the course, this provides us a great way to get a feel for your on-screen persona.
• Please contact Chris Steins, Planetizen Editor, via email [email protected].

Thanks for your potential interest in becoming a Planetizen Instructor.