who will open a development shell, which will become the primary course shell once development is complete. Once access has been granted to the development shell, the SME is responsible for ensuring that course content is aligned with the course learning outcomes. They must consult with their program coordinator to ensure the proper outcomes are listed for the course.

The SME must meet all development and redevelopment deadlines leading up to the online subterms in which the online course will be launched. These development deadlines are set by the Office of Online Education with reference to the course copy schedule for each online subterm. In general, the SME must complete development, redevelopments, and changes ten (10) weeks prior to the launch of the course in a subterm. Major updates would include changes to the course instructional content, course syllabus, or substantive changes to the course assignments.

When the SME has completed the course development, redevelopment, or changes, the program coordinator and Director of Online Education will review the development shell. They will evaluate the course for consistent design, alignment with learning outcomes, and support of regular and substantive interaction (RSI). This review should be completed at least eight (8) weeks before the targeted launch date, which allows time for the SME to adjust the course to the feedback of the reviewers, as needed. All changes must be finalized at least six (6) weeks prior to the launch date of the course to avoid interfering with the course copy process. Once all changes to the development shell are finalized, the Office of Online Education will convert the development shell into the primary course shell. The primary course shell becomes the version of the course from which individual sections are created each time it is offered.

Once an online course has been developed, the initial SME will continue to oversee the ongoing maintenance of the course content in the primary course shell. In some circumstances, this initial SME might not be able to continue with SME duties, in which case the Office of Online Education will appoint a new SME to oversee the course content after the course has been designed.

In a post-development scenario, the SME will be responsible for adjustments and corrections to the course materials within the primary course shell. These are considered minor changes as opposed to redevelopments. For example, after a course is offered, instructors might suggest adjustments to questions on assessments or clarifying instructions for an assignment. The SME will receive this feedback and implement needed changes in the primary course shell. Additionally, the SME is responsible for ensuring that the course design and learning activities conform to the standards of online instruction to cultivate regular and substantive interaction throughout the course. When the results of assessments suggest that a change in a course or learning activity is needed, administrators should coordinate course changes with the program coordinator and SME. See 4.1 – Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in Online Education.

The SME is also responsible for collaborating with online faculty and Faculty Mentors to review critical indicators of course health. The data will come from several sources in ad hoc or regular reports. Relevant items to review will include,

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