Do You Need Subject Matter Experts?

The myth of having to be a subject matter expert (SME, pronounced sh-mee) to design curriculum is exactly that—a myth. One of the first questions usually asked by new ISD students relates to a common misconception concerning whether you need to be a subject matter expert before you can design curriculum in any given subject matter. While a little subject matter expertise may be helpful, it is not a requirement for success. Every day, ISD practitioners design exciting and successful curricula in subject areas that are only vaguely familiar to them. Remember, ISD is a systems approach to developing training, and the “system” includes methods of working with folks that are SMEs. Most SMEs, in fact, really appreciate ...

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