If you are interested in applying to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME), please read the information below. Then, make sure to submit your application and sample lesson OR critique by email to Rachel Walker (rwalker@ccs.ua.edu) by 9 am on Monday, September 17.
Requirements
In most cases, SMEs will revise and improve existing content while writing some original content. For the Forestry and Nutrition and Wellness courses, SMEs will be authoring a much larger proportion of new content. While SMEs may incorporate appropriate outside content (external websites, reputable videos, etc.), those authoring new courses should expect to create a significant amount of original work.
SMEs are not required to be former or current ACCESS teachers. No travel is required. Any interested teacher may apply.
Training
Training (via online course modules) is required for all SMEs. The activities and products created as part of the training are critical in planning and developing the course. We develop courses using a backward design approach and expect all SMEs to use this approach. Topics covered in training include:
- defining evidence of learning
- meeting Quality Matters standards in online courses.
- developing courses based on enduring knowledge and essential questions.
- unpacking course of study standards into lesson objectives.
- planning and scaffolding assignments for the online environment.
- selecting and constructing meaningful assessments.
- identifying opportunities for interactivity in courses.
- building formative assessments.
- developing and formatting media for the online format
PD credit will be awarded for successful completion of training. Those working on revision projects will not be required to complete all of the training modules and tasks.
Schedule
We expect this work to stretch from October 2018 — July 2019. SME Training will occur from mid-October to mid-November. SMEs will develop course materials from December 2018 — June 2019.
The total amount of time required for the work will vary by project. Please see the project descriptions for more information. The course development team may choose to hire a team of SMEs to work on larger projects, which would reduce the hours per week.
A more precise schedule will be distributed the SMEs who are selected.
Compensation
Compensation for the work will also vary by course. It will be based on the hours estimate for the course. SMEs will have to report hours worked for biweekly pay.
If you have additional questions on this topic, contact Rachel Walker at rwalker@ccs.ua.edu.
Development Team
In all cases, the SMEs will be working as a part of a development team that is led by an instructional designer. The ID will train the SME on ACCESS style, pedagogy, and needs. The ID will define the scope of work and will evaluate SME content and assessments based on QM and ACCESS standards. The ID oversees the building of the course and development of complex multimedia.
The development team also includes both ACCESS and peer reviewers who are responsible for commenting on content, assessment methods, accessibility, and alignment with the course of study, ACCESS, and QM standards. Some teams may also include multiple SMEs to decrease the individual workload.
SMEs are primarily responsible for
- aligning existing course content with the applicable course of study;
- selecting, writing, and revising content within the course; and
- designing and revising assessments to meet all relevant standards (Course of Study, Quality Matters K12 standards, internal ACCESS requirements).
Application Information
If you are interested in working on one of these courses as an SME, you must submit an application and a sample lesson OR critique, depending on the project. Please see the project descriptions .
- Applicants should develop their lesson based on a standard (or part of a standard) from the Alabama Course of Study for the course he or she would like to revise. If applying for multiple courses, you only need to submit one lesson or critique.
- The lesson should be submitted on the ACCESS LO+T Form, with any necessary supporting materials (presentations, images, videos) submitted as separate files.
- The lesson should follow the ACCESS Learning Object + Task model, with four total parts.
If you are applying for a revision project, we urge you to submit a lesson on a topic or concept that the current course does not teach effectively or that covers material from the new course of study not currently included in the course.
Your lesson may be as long or as short as needed provided that:
- it fully covers your objective;
- it follows the ACCESS Learning Object + Task model; and
- it demonstrates thoughtful and meaningful instructional design.
Your application materials should be submitted by email to Rachel Walker (rwalker@ccs.ua.edu) by 9 am on Monday, September 17. Successful applicants will be contacted by email by October 1. Online training will begin on October 9.
If you have any questions about the application process, submission, or about any of the scheduled projects, please contact Rachel Walker (rwalker@ccs.ua.edu).
Feel free to distribute this information to anyone who may be interested.