Do you remember what it felt like sitting in a classroom and listening to a professor or teacher drone on and on, expecting you to absorb the complex concepts in front of you like a sponge? Or, how about the snooze-inducing online courses with bullet-point slides and mind-numbing quizzes that seemed designed to put you to sleep rather than teach you something?
Well, thankfully those days are far behind us – or at least they should be – and we have better, more engaging teaching methods to save our learners (and us) from the abyss of boredom. One of these methods is scenario-based training, an approach that can take your learners from "am-I-really-here-to-learn-or-to-fall-asleep?" to "wow-this-is-truly-interesting-and-applicable".
However, as with all great learning experiences, there's more to it than just slapping together a few random scenarios and calling it a day. It's crucial to understand the key elements that determine the effectiveness of such training. So buckle up, my friend, and let's go on a deep dive into the world of scenario-based training.
Element 1: Realism... I mean reely real
It's no secret that putting learners faced with relatable skin-tearing scenarios helps them digest and retain knowledge. They want life-like situations, not some bizarro-world examples that sound like something straight out of a telenovela. Here's where your detective skills come into play – you need to know your audience, their work environment, and the challenges they face daily. Armed with this information, you can create scenarios that make them nod their heads in recognition. The key to effective scenario-based training is making it accurate, relevant, and believable. Realism is the name of the game here.
Element 2: The mighty choice
Have you ever watched one of those TV shows where they let viewers decide the fate of the characters or storylines? There's something irresistibly satisfying about making choices and seeing the outcome. The same applies to scenario-based training. Providing your learners with multiple choices – and consequences – promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills [ref.1].
When crafting choices, ensure they are plausible and challenging enough to make the learner think but not so challenging that they pack their bags and head for the hills. And please, refrain from offering overly-obvious correct answers that spoil the fun and render the training fruitless.
Element 3: Feedback... and not just the "Sorry, try again" type
Imagine walking into an art class, creating a masterpiece, and the only comment you get from your teacher is, "No, do it again." Frustrating, right? The same goes for scenario-based training. Your learners deserve thoughtful feedback that will help them understand the why behind a correct or incorrect choice [ref.2].
This kind of informative feedback cultivates understanding and fosters a growth mindset. Don't just say a response was right or wrong – offer explanations, and when necessary, suggest the learner revisit some related content to clarify their understanding. Just like with nature, nurturing is the key.
Element 4: Storytelling that keeps them hooked
From the classic fairytales of our youth to blockbuster movies of today, we are hardwired to connect with stories. Scenario-based training is an excellent opportunity to harness the power of storytelling and evoke emotions that make the learning experience memorable. According to research, stories make information up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone [ref.3].
Entertain your learners while educating them by investing in well-crafted storylines, characters, and emotionally charged experiences that shed light on real-world situations. Hook them in with compelling narratives and keep them wanting more with cliffhangers.
In conclusion: A learner's paradise
When done right, scenario-based training can be a winning formula for cultivating engaged and highly skilled learners. By incorporating realistic situations, offering meaningful choices and consequences, providing constructive feedback, and weaving in compelling storytelling, you pave the way for an experience that has a lasting impact on their professional growth.
But remember, like any journey worth taking, designing effective scenario-based training involves deep reflection, audience empathy, and a sprinkle of creativity. So let your inner instructional designer shine and transform those traditional learning experiences into engaging and memorable adventures.
[1]: Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2011). E-Learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
[2]: Shute, V. J. (2008). Focus on formative feedback. Review of Educational Research, 78(1), 153-189.
[3]: Zak, P. J. (2014). Why your brain loves good storytelling. Harvard Business Review, Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2014/10/why-your-brain-loves-good-storytelling