Katy Montgomery - Branching out with scenario-based e-learning

Branching out with scenario-based e-learning

Katy Montgomery

Scenario-based e-learning immerses a learner in a workplace situation by asking them to make decisions and allowing them to experience the result of their choices. When developing scenario-based e-learning, it's useful to keep the following concepts in mind.

Begin with a plan

Before building scenario-based training, it's important to begin with a carefully defined plan. Investing this time upfront will make the whole process more efficient overall. One helpful approach to accomplish this is to start with a focus on the outcomes and work backwards (Snegirev, 2016).

A good next step from there is creating a flowchart of the scenario. I've found CmapTools is a fantastic program for creating a flowchart of a scenario’s paths, decisions, and outcomes. Even with a very short branching scenario, like my Comma Conundrum, starting with a CmapTools flowchart helps to clarify its design:

Defining the flow at the beginning becomes more and more important as scenarios increase in complexity. To explore a more complex branching scenario, I used CmapTools to reverse engineer Cathy Moore’s Practice the Handoff Conversation. In this case, I mapped out these paths:

So many splits, shortcuts, and reconnections! In contrast to the flowchart for the Comma Conundrum, this flowchart resembles a map of the Paris Metro.

Later, I applied the understanding I developed from this reverse engineering exercise when designing a more complex branching scenario of my own, Sage Advice on Task Prioritization. I developed a flowchart and incorporated it into my high- level design document. Having this information on hand, streamlined my efforts in the next step of the planning process, developing a storyboard.

Create an appropriate level of challenge

When creating the plan, it’s important to ensure that the scenario is appropriately challenging. If scenarios are too difficult, they become frustrating. Conversely, scenarios that are too easy seem pointless. Correct responses should not be too obvious; creating nuanced options that are less clear cut is reflective of real life (Hill, 2019).

A careful learner analysis can provide insights into the level of difficulty to build into a scenario. If you find yourself designing for an audience with mixed skill levels, this can be tricky. Giving learners choices regarding where to begin in the scenario or whether to review preliminary information can be a good solution (Hill, 2019).

Engage learners through story

By nature, with its decision-making in a realistic work environment, scenario-based e-learning is much more engaging than directive or receptive instruction (Clark, 2013). As just discussed, creating an appropriate level of challenge within the scenario will make it even more absorbing. Developing a good story is also key in attracting a learner’s attention.

Incorporating branching video or animation can heighten a story’s effects (Hill, 2019). I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said I teared up with the choking victim in the Lifesaver training as she recovered. This level of empathy underscores just how engrossed I was in the scenario, and with that level of attention, I was also more concentrated on the learning material.

In The Gamification of Learning and Instruction, Karl Kapp (2012) describes the common story method of the hero’s journey. Kapp notes that “understanding how the hero’s journey works can transform a rather average case study into a more interesting, engaging, and interactive story” (p. 45). This narrative device is full of ebbs and flows as the hero learns new skills to progress before being presented with more difficult challenges. It also involves a “wise figure or mentor” who “causes the hero or heroine to have an epiphany” (p. 43). Incorporating wise figures or mentors--or, in other words, coaches and advisors--is common in scenario-based e-learning. Cultivating their storylines could be a useful technique for making the scenario especially engaging.

Final thoughts

Branching scenarios can become complex quickly. Therefore, mapping out their paths from the beginning is important. Also, as part of the planning process, designers should make sure to keep learners engaged by providing the appropriate level of challenge and developing the story.

For more discussion of scenario-based e-learning, check out my blog post Making effective feedback choices in scenario-based e-learning.

References

Clark, R. C. (2013). Scenario-based e-learning: Evidence-based guidelines for online workforce learning. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.

Hill, D. (2019). How to create a brilliant branching scenario. Retrieved from https://www.elucidat.com/blog/simple-branching-scenarios/

Kapp, K. (2012). The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.

Moore, C. (n.d.) Branching scenario example: Practice the client conversation. Action@Work. https://blog.cathy-moore.com/scenario-based-training-headquarters/scenario-example-practice-the-handoff-conversation/.

Percy, M. (n.d.). Lifesaver. Resuscitation Council UK. https://www.lifesaver.org.uk/

Snegirev, S. (2016, October 31). Branching Scenarios: What You Need To Know.[Web blog]. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/branching-scenarios-need-know

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