Scenario based learning involves presenting learners with realistic scenarios depicting job situations. Learners must make choices to navigate through the scenarios, with the goal of reaching successful outcomes. Unlike traditional e-learning which focuses on correct answers, scenario based learning emphasizes real world decision making and allows learners to receive feedback based on their performance along success or failure paths. The key aspects of scenario based learning involve using scenarios developed based on real work experiences to provide learners with practice applying their knowledge to make choices with consequences.
1. What is a scenario? In e-learning, it is the description of a task or a job situation from the learner’s perspective. A sequence of concrete problems are described, and choices are presented that enable the learner to reach a satisfactory outcome. SCENARIO BASED LEARNING The key to success for the learner is situational awareness and judgment. Reality is the ultimate learning environment.
2. What is scenario based learning? It differs from other forms of e-learning (drill and practice, tutorials) in that it requires the selection of responses to move through the lessons, instead of answers to content questions. As a result, it focuses on performance improvement rather than correct answers, supplies information only as needed, and boosts engagement by using images and sound. SCENARIO BASED LEARNING
3. Scenario based learning (SBL) exposes the learner to a given situation outlined in a scenario. SBL asks the learner to apply knowledge relevant to that situation by making choices and attempting to follow a desirable path that demonstrates their ability to achieve a successful outcome. Instead of right and wrong answers there are success and failure paths. Scenarios are most effective when they have a game-like appearance. Learner feedback (remediation/reinforcement) is essential to successful SBL. SCENARIO BASED LEARNING
4. The key difference between traditional e-learning and SBL is the way in which content and learning activities are devised. Traditional courseware emerges from subject-matter experts and the established knowledge base of a subject. Learning objectives and activities are ‘deduced’ from this body of facts. SBL’s derive their objectives and activities out of real experiences and the real work situations. Meetings with experienced people are held to identify objectives and activities. They are then framed as a scenario, with screens devoted to a brief situational description, the posing of a decision problem, and a request for the learner to select a behavior that represents the better course of action in that situation. SCENARIO BASED LEARNING Distinguishing Features of SBL
5. The Scenario The Scenario’s Options The Scenario’s Media Video, Audio Photos, Diagrams The Scenario’s Support Information Recommended links The Scenario’s Guidelines ‘ How to’ SCENARIO BASED LEARNING SBL Screen Design Example
6. Scenario purpose Success Fail 1 Fail 2 Remediation Success Fail 1 Fail 2 Remediation Success Fail 1 Fail 2 Remediation Aim to negoiate a successful path through the learning program NAVIGATION STRATEGY 1. Choose from success and fail options at start. 2. If success option then proceed to next options. 3. If ‘moderate’ fail option then receive remediation and proceed to next options 4. If ‘disaster’ fail option then receive feed back and return to start. 5. Repeat for successive sets of options until complete. OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS SCENARIO BASED LEARNING
11. Use peoples’ experience to identify: i) Performance problems…what skills need to be learnt? ii) What are realistic scenarios…what is a real world environment? iii) What are indicators of successful outcomes? iv) What are indicators of unsuccessful outcomes? v) What are descriptions of successful and fail behaviours? vi) What resources can assist locating a successful path? SCENARIO BASED LEARNING Developing SBL - STAKEHOLDER DISCOVERY SESSION.
12. Use a storyboard to confirm: i) Is the scenario credible? ii) Are the success and failure paths realistic? iii) Will the design ‘work’. iv) Is the feedback appropriate and sufficient? v) Does the media contribute to the scenario’s realism vi) Are the performance objectives achievable? SCENARIO BASED LEARNING Developing SBL - STAKEHOLDER EVALUATION SESSION.