This document discusses using scenarios in eLearning to make content more engaging and help learners apply their knowledge. It recommends incorporating characters and scenarios to provide context and allow learners to observe examples or make mistakes in a safe environment. Both linear and branching scenarios are covered, with branching scenarios following a challenge-choice-consequence model. Examples of how to set up branching scenarios in Articulate Quizmaker are provided. Throughout, it encourages making scenarios realistic and personalized to involve the learner.
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38. Things to consider How realistic should you make it? How many levels of branching should you use? Need for plausible mistakes/critical errors When and how do you give feedback (at the end or during the scenario?)
We learn from the mistakes (hopefully) We try it differently next time
Content that is relevant to ME the learner is ultimately more memorable, more ‘sticky’. Scenarios and character add context and a level of reality. Can you see yourself in this story? Can you see how it matters to you/what’s in it for you?
Applying learning in context and through mistakes, strong connection with workplace practice – a more inductive learning model (i.e., test and tell)
Some content is just plain dry and boring – and your legal compliance team insists that it stay that way.Can you book end your content with the voice of the layperson? An employee who is making sense of the content…an employee asking a clarifying question – then you can answer it in simple terms for them…or have them answer it in their own words.
We’ve all been handed a lengthy PPT or dry source content to start from.
Simple scenarios with no branching (Articulate) – tell a story and then have the learner reflect on it.
Simple scenarios with no branching (Flash based eLearning)For this project, we set up a Moodle LMS to serve as a content portal. Although the flow had the content first and the scenario last, the learner could technically take the sections in any order.So this could be a learn and apply model (go through your traditional elearning content first and then try it out yourself) – or flip that around and try your best at the scenario, then go back to learn what you didn’t know.
Here’s another simple technique. This one is all text and graphics – we call this a “filmstrip” – this one’s done in Flash, but there are similar techniques you can use in Articulate.Upfront you see a short scenario. After each scenario there are a few short questions – was that the right response? Why was it the right response? We call this a tiered approach to let you dive deeper into your thinking and question your instincts.
Learn the content and then apply it in a café setting… scenario based MCQs. A bit more effective than a question that says, true/false – always start with a smile…
Yeah…it’s back to me again
So how do you figure out what stories to tell? How do you figure out the right mistakes? And how can that possibly be rapid?Find out where people make the mistakes – this is the SME interviewing part – extracting the stories – talking to the recent hires to find out what tripped them up when they first got started…
Photo credit: Story Teller by Nick Piggott http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickpiggott/1388927470/
Tom Kuhlmann– the three C’s http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/build-branched-e-learning-scenarios-in-three-simple-steps/
The Goal-based scenario model componentsThe key traits of a simulation are: • Accurate representation of real situations • Opportunities to make realistic choices • Accurate representation of the consequences • Feeback and remediation on suboptimal choices.
When should you use ‘em?Apply and then learn.Use mistakes as a “focusing objective” – the learner will focus more on specific areas when they know they’ve made a mistake.
For a more realistic simulation of consequences you might need to create a true branching experience. A great way to create the blur of reality. This example includes a rating or scale…you can see reactions in “real time”This type of scenario best used when you think consequences are a crucial part of the learning, where it’s critical to feel the consequence of your mistakes.If someone thinks, “But I wouldn’t do that..”
That same branching exercise, simplified using Articulate to do Quizmaker branching.
Sources of good images for scenarios:iStockFotoliaeLearning Art…