Month: September 2021

Remember, You’re a SME too!

Remember, You’re a SME too!

Photo by Wesley Carvalho on Pexels.com

Working with subject matter experts, SMEs is a universal function as an instructional designer, ID. This part of the job requires collaboration and effective communication to ensure the content is of the best quality.  IDs work with all types of individuals with different personalities, cultures, and experiences, including levels of professionalism. The latter, levels of expertise and professionalism, can hit you right in the gut and ego. Most SMEs are very knowledgeable and have years of education and experience under their belt.  As an instructional designer, you are very much an SME in your given field, but providing insight and feedback may have you timid or a default ‘yes man.’

As taken from one of my favorite movies with a bit of a tweak, SMEs are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get.  With all these variables, i.e., cultural, personality, and professionalism differences, it is important to consider the following to sustain your working relationship with SMEs and your confidence as an instructional designer.

  1. Communicate from a receiver-based approach – SMEs are likely to communicate from a sender-focused approach as they focus on providing the content to the ID rather than communicating for understanding. (Sellnow et al., 2015)  As an ID, it is crucial the SMEs understand your interpretation of the material and thought process to how you plan to deliver the content.
  2. Be cognizant of cultural differences – As Richardson et al. (2019) point out, organizational cultures are a part of cultural differences. These organizational differences may “impact or support a project” (p. 868)
  3. Learn from the mistakes – Every collaboration with a SME may not go according to plan. Remember, there are several internal and external factors and constraints that can affect your collaborative efforts. (Richardson et al., 2019)

References

Richardson, J. C., Ashby, I., Alshammari, A. N., Cheng, Z., Johnson, B. S., Krause, T. S., Lee, D., Randolph, A. E., & Wang, H. (2019). Faculty and instructional designers on building successful collaborative relationships. Educational Technology, Research and Development, 67(4), 855-880. http://dx.doi.org.saintleo.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s11423-018-9636-4

Sellnow, D. D., Lane, D., Littlefield, R. S., Sellnow, T. L., Wilson, B., Beauchamp, K., & Venette, S. (2015). A Receiver-Based Approach to Effective Instructional Crisis Communication. Journal of Contingencies & Crisis Management, 23(3), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12066

You Know What I Mean?

Effective Interview Tips for Developing a Shared Meaning

Photo by Wesley Carvalho on Pexels.com

You feel me? You know what I mean? You get me?

These phrases are contemporary vernacular utilized by a speaker in a conversational dialogue to clarify or establish a shared understanding. In this instance, it’s the speaker who is initiating clarification from the listener. The overarching goal is to establish a shared meaning through a sender-received communication model during the communication process. 

But what about when you are conducting an interview? What if the interviewee is a stranger? Who may or may not have time to sit with anyone for a meeting due to their busy schedule.

Lol, the former is a tad bit dramatic but very real for many instructional designers, IDs who need to conduct interviews with clients or subject matter experts, SMEs.   In these types of situations, the role reversal leaves it up to you, the listener, the ID, to take the initiative in establishing a shared understanding of project ideas and goals.

Your interview can be successful when you create well-thought-out questions, build rapport, and take notes. I know this it’s ‘easier said than done’.  Below are some tips and a cheat code that can help.

Tip 1: Develop a skillset to include interpersonal, intrapersonal, and critical thinking skills. 

These skills will allow you to become aware of your biases, establish a critical eye for verbal and non-verbal cues, and effectively analyze the current situation.

Tip 2: Develop a Rapport

If you can, try introducing yourself with either a quick meet-and-greet before your scheduled meeting or utilize the first 10 minutes of your scheduled session. This way, you can get a sense of the client or SME’s personality, style, and level of openness to interact.  You can now adapt your questions and interview style to accommodate the interviewee.

Tip 3: Research, Prepare, and Prepare

A two-for-one, research and prepare before your scheduled interview. Research your interviewee and their position.  Try LinkedIn or your company’s intranet to get some insight into your interviewee’s background. You can use your findings as talking points to build rapport.

Tip 4: Take Notes

Note-taking is the key. You don’t want to interrupt the interviewee’s train of thought with a clarifying question.  Hold your point, write it down, and use your critical thinking and interpersonal skills to know when to interject. Additionally, you can use your notes to assist in paraphrasing the interviewee’s thoughts for better understanding.

Cheat Code: Active listening

Use Active listening as a communication strategy during the interview process. Try not to veer off or blank out during the interview process.  Remain in the present moment and give the interviewee your undivided attention.  Giving the interviewee uninterrupted attention reflects a sense of respect for their time.

References

Richey, R.C; Klein, J.D & Tracey, M.W (2011) The Instructional Design Knowledge Base. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis. ISBN978-0-4158020

Robertson, K. (2005). Education: Active listening – more than just paying attention. Australian Family Physician, 34(12), 1053 -1055. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.366629010280498

Tai, (2019, November 14). What Are Intrapersonal Skills and Why Are They Important? Matterapp.com. Retrieved September 9, 2021, from https://matterapp.com/blog/what-are-intrapersonal-skills-and-why-are-they-important.