The Brain Game: How To Add Problem-Solving Activities In Online Lessons
Analyzing issues, devising innovative solutions, and adapting to changing environments help people thrive in life. As an L&D professional, you have the opportunity to help learners navigate complex issues by incorporating activities that will sharpen problem-solving skills. This helps them be competitive and allows them to grasp concepts with alternative approaches, enriching the training experience as a whole. Without further ado, let's explore a few activities that enhance problem solving in eLearning.
4 Problem-Solving Resources To Elevate Your eLearning Courses
1. Scenario-Based Learning
Scenarios allow learners to dive into situations where they have to make choices based on their knowledge. For example, they must manage a virtual business and make strategic decisions based on market trends. Or, on a more fun note, they are detectives solving a crime by analyzing evidence and making choices that impact the investigation. So, instead of text-based courses, you create interesting scenarios, tracking your learners' thought processes through the LMS. All these exercises let them into the mind of a problem solver while also delving into the curriculum.
2. Simulation Exercises
Simulation exercises are different from scenarios because learners don't just theoretically choose what they would do in a hypothetical situation; they actually apply it in real time. Whether it's troubleshooting technical glitches, handling customer complaints, or dealing with marketing campaigns, your learners get hands-on experience without the real-world consequences. Adding simulation exercises to your LMS will give learners control, challenging them to think critically, make decisions on the spot, and see the outcome. These exercises are also adaptable, catering to different learning preferences and other requirements learners may have.
3. Collaborative Projects
There are many times in life when people have to face a common problem with others. Collaborative problem-solving projects not only sharpen your learners' critical thinking skills but also allow them to understand others' perspectives and respect different opinions. When your learners log into the LMS to join the group project, they can come across virtual discussion boards, assignments with their peers, shared documents, and chatting or video conferencing features. This way, they can communicate with their teammates and find a solution quicker.
4. VR And AR
What if you could immerse your learners in the above scenarios, simulations, and projects? We're not talking about your learners just reading the stories or experiencing them through media like images and videos; we're talking about them seeing everything come to life. This can happen with the help of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR). You can provide your learners with the necessary equipment—a headset for VR and glasses for AR—and have them experience problems firsthand. For example, when you train people for crisis management, they enter a virtual environment where they can handle a difficulty without facing real risk. Similarly, they can use AR glasses to get real-time instructions and insights overlayed in the physical environment for extra help.
Benefits Of Problem Solving In eLearning
Engagement
When learners get into situations where they're able to brush up on their problem-solving skills, they tend to experience courses more like interactive games. Traditional classes aren't usually learner-centric and don't put people in a position to develop their own solutions. So, presenting challenges in eLearning grabs their attention and prompts them to do their best to resolve them and learn from their mistakes. Plus, most problem-solving scenarios and simulations prepare learners for realistic obstacles that might lie ahead, thereby boosting their motivation.
Critical Thinking
Problem-solving activities in eLearning give people a strong asset: critical thinking skills. Learners have the opportunity to acquire an analytical way of thinking and approach problems differently. When presented with multiple scenarios and choices, even under complex circumstances, they train their minds to consider every available piece of information before making the final verdict. Once they get the hang of it, they can deal with problems more confidently. Additionally, since they solve problems with others, they learn to listen to various opinions, filter them, and then choose what best applies to the matter at hand.
Real-World Application
It's crucial that learners see there's a direct link between training and practical application. When they participate in hands-on experiences, like simulations or VR lessons, they're able to discern how the subject matter ties into their everyday lives. For example, how they can use a healthy dose of lateral thinking and communication skills to diffuse tension between coworkers.
Conclusion
Sometimes, solving problems can be overwhelming. However, L&D initiatives that hone this specific skill can instill self-confidence in your team and help them evaluate issues with a fresh perspective. Use the above ideas to create innovative problem-solving exercises that fully engage learners and enable them to put their newfound troubleshooting know-how into practice on the job.
