Recently, Bryan Jones (@elearningart) from eLearningArt invited me and a whole slew other eLearning people (59 of us) to share their single best tip for creating effective eLearning scenarios.
He asked everyone this question:
What’s your #1 tip for creating effective eLearning scenarios?
And, here’s how I responded:
Give learners an opportunity to solve a realistic problem before they’ve been taught the solution
Consider using scenarios to replace some of your traditional passive methods of presenting information. For example, give learners an opportunity to solve a realistic problem before they’ve been taught the solution. Shifting learners from passively receiving information to actively processing it has significant benefits. Research suggests that this scenario-based approach can lead to “desirable difficulties” that enhance learning and retention
If you want to see a summary of all 60 tips, you can check out the video below:
Or visit the full scenario tips post to see all the detailed responses.
All of the responses fell into these 13 categories:
- Keep it real
- Make it relevant
- Follow a structured approach
- Plan and analyze before you build
- Keep the learning objectives and outcomes in mind
- Tell a story
- Provide accurate context
- Find nuance in the scenario
- Consider scenario choices carefully
- Collaborate with your subject matter experts
- Collaborate with your actual learners
- Challenge your learners
- Let learners experience consequences
Scenarios are one the most effective types of eLearning. This is a great collection of advice from top experts that can help you get started with using scenarios in your work. And even if you´re already using scenarios, I´ll bet you´ll find at least one new idea you can add to what you´re already doing.
Do any of these stand out to you as a favorite? What would your scenario advice be?
Mike Taylor 
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