Creating engaging and effective eLearning content is a collaborative effort. While instructional designers are experts in structuring and delivering content, subject matter experts (SMEs) bring the deep knowledge necessary for the course’s substance. However, working with SMEs can be challenging, as they are often busy and may have limited time to devote to the project. The key to success lies in fostering a smooth collaboration that maximises both the SME’s expertise and the learning designer’s skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips for working with SMEs to create high-quality eLearning courses. These strategies ensure that SMEs can contribute meaningfully without becoming overwhelmed, while also making the most of their subject knowledge.
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SMEs are often juggling multiple projects and responsibilities, which can make it difficult for them to allocate time to contribute to eLearning projects. To address this, it’s important to provide a low-friction way for them to collaborate.
This means using collaborative tools that streamline the process, such as shared documents, platforms like Coursensu, or learning management systems with simple commenting features. Keeping the process as simple and flexible as possible will reduce barriers and encourage SMEs to engage more readily.
While Instructional Designers are experts in structuring learning experiences, SMEs bring the deep, subject-specific knowledge that is crucial for the course’s content. To get the most out of their expertise, ensure that SMEs are contributing to the areas where their knowledge shines.
For example, an SME in the field of law may contribute specific case studies or legal principles, while a medical SME might provide real-life scenarios or research findings. By focusing on areas where SMEs can provide unique insights, you can elevate the course’s relevance and authenticity.
As a Learning Designer, your role is to structure the content in a way that engages learners and ensures they meet the course’s learning objectives. While the SME provides valuable content, it’s your responsibility to present that content effectively.
Ensure that you use your design expertise to create engaging learning pathways, align activities with the outcomes, and build assessments for learners to demonstrate their understanding of the topics. By focusing on the big picture, and structure, you can enhance the learning experience without stepping into the SME’s territory.
Clear communication is key when collaborating with SMEs. Use idea flags, colour-coding, or comments within the design to signal areas that require their input. This could be anything from content clarification to providing additional resources. Clear signals make it easier for SMEs to focus on the most crucial tasks and avoid unnecessary confusion.
For example, an item with am @mention comment can indicate where an SME needs to elaborate on a point or provide specific examples. This clarity ensures that SMEs don’t feel overwhelmed by having to sift through the entire course for their input.
SMEs might not always know exactly what’s needed from them, especially if they are new to the learning design process. To alleviate this, create placeholders with clear indications of what’s required.
Placeholders, for example within a design note or comment, should include a prompt such as “Provide a case study here” or “Add relevant statistics.” This will help the SME understand exactly what type of content is needed without requiring them to guess or overthink their contribution.
While it’s important to provide clear guidance, you also want to give SMEs the space to be creative. They are experts in their field, and their creative input can make the course more engaging and unique.
Encourage SMEs to bring their personal style or real-world examples into the course. Allowing them to contribute freely will enhance their ownership of the project and likely result in richer, more engaging content.
Design notes are an excellent tool for offering guidance to SMEs without being overly prescriptive. These notes can explain the rationale behind certain design decisions or provide context for how specific content will be used in the course.
For example, a design note could explain why a particular type of multimedia is needed in a section or how a specific piece of content should align with the learning objectives. By providing just enough context, you empower SMEs to make informed decisions without restricting their creative freedom.
Learning objectives and assessments are essential components of an effective learning experience. When collaborating with SMEs, use these as a guide for what content should be included.
By linking the SME’s contributions directly to the learning goals, you ensure that the content is relevant and contributes meaningfully to the learners’ development. This also helps SMEs understand the purpose of their input and how it fits into the overall course structure.
Engaging learning often includes multimedia elements such as videos, images, and interactive content. Remind SMEs to think beyond text and provide placeholders for these types of media.
If an SME has a great idea for a video or case study, suggest that they provide a placeholder with a note indicating what type of media would enhance the content. This helps fuel future conversation between the SME, course designer and content producers to plan for interactivity, media integration and development costs, from the start.
In the collaborative process, it’s important to foster an open dialogue between the learning designer and the SME. Use contextual comments within shared documents or course design platforms to ask questions, provide feedback, and engage in conversations about specific sections of the course.
This exchange of ideas ensures stakeholders share the same page and can address any issues or concerns that arise during the course development process.
SMEs are experts in their field, and it’s crucial to give them the autonomy to make decisions related to the content. As a Learning Designer, you don’t need to dictate every detail of the course structure.
Instead, allow SMEs to make decisions about how best to present their content, and encourage them to contribute new ideas or approaches. This autonomy empowers SMEs, making them feel more involved in the process and helping to create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience.
One of the most significant advantages of collaborating with SMEs is that they can see their contributions appear directly in the course. This visibility ensures that their expertise is valued and integrated into the final product.
Encourage SMEs to work directly in a course design platform so they can see how their content fits within the broader learning experience. This fosters a sense of ownership and authentic contribution within the learning experience.
SMEs have a wealth of resources, case studies, and industry connections that can enrich the course. Ask them to share these materials or any relevant resources from their network that could enhance the learner experience.
This could include sharing recent research, audience insights, industry trends, or real-world case studies that help make the course content more relatable and applicable to learners.
Sometimes, SMEs may want to provide existing documents or files, but these are often unsuitable for being directly added to a course. When this happens, gently guide them on how to adapt these materials into more engaging, interactive formats.
For example, if an SME provides a lengthy report, work with them, or use AI, to extract key takeaways and create concise, digestible learning materials. Help them understand the importance of structuring content for the online learning environment. Ensure you verify and validate AI-generated summaries with the SME to ensure accuracy and relevance before finalising it into the learning content.
As you work with SMEs, there’s an opportunity to help them develop their skills in learning design, even if it’s only to a small extent. This can be done subtly, by guiding them in how to craft more learner-centric content or explaining how their contributions will be used in the course.
By taking the time to develop their skills, and to highlight the progress of the journey they are on, will help them to be set up for success in future collaborations.
Setting clear expectations around deadlines and deliverables is essential. Provide SMEs with a detailed schedule, including deadlines for each phase of the project and clear requirements for what’s needed.
A structured timeline helps SMEs manage their time effectively and ensures that you stay on track with course production.
A strong, collaborative relationship with SMEs leads to a smoother development process and a more effective final product. When SMEs feel valued and engaged, they are more likely to provide high-quality contributions that align with course objectives.
On the other hand, a strained relationship can result in poor communication, missed deadlines, and subpar content. Misalignment between the designer and SME can derail the project, leading to delays and frustration.
If you’re struggling with collaboration, start by introducing a platform like Coursensu. It provides a shared space with clear opportunities to ideate, structure and set placeholders. Encourage your SMEs to provide contributions on their own time, without the pressure of constant meetings or communications. Ask them to start with what they are most certain on, flag uncertainties as ideas or placeholders and leave gaps where they're still unsure. Use this as the foundations to build on strong ideas, unpack uncertainties and fill in gaps as the project develops.
Collaborating with SMEs is a vital part of the learning design and content development process. By providing clear structure, fostering autonomy, and communicating effectively, you can leverage their expertise while ensuring the course meets learning objectives. The result is a high-quality learning experience that benefits SMEs and learners.
"SMEs may want to provide existing documents or files, but these are often unsuitable for being directly added to a course"
Collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for Successful eLearning Production
Why collaboration, co-design, and co-creation are the secret to creating great learning experiences
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