Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) is a powerful eLearning strategy that many L&D teams use to create highly engaging and effective learning content. Not only does SBL enable exploring of common work-related situations, but scenarios can also prepare learners for unexpected, rare circumstances that are highly unlikely to occur, yet devastating to the organizations if they do transpire. Best of all, eLearning scenarios are a low-cost, low-risk approach to equip learners with skills required to deal with real-life problems, through an interactive, immersive and safe environment. eLearning Scenario Use Cases So, what are some specific examples where scenarios might be a great way to deliver eLearning course objectives? Well, here are some use cases of the successful application of SBL: Skills development One of the most prolific uses of eLearning scenarios is in the development of new skills, or upgrading of existing ones. A great example of the application of SBL is in the … [Read more...] about Examples of Highly Effective Use of eLearning Scenario-based Training
How to become an instructional designer
Eight Highly Effective eLearning Scenario Building Blocks L&D Teams Must Consider
Scenario-based learning (SBL) is one of the most effective ways to create highly effective learning content. Why? Because, unlike the “click next” type of content, scenarios force learners to engage with the content. And, depending on how they structure the scenarios, trainers can stimulate critical thinking among learners (or groups of learners), and build anticipation (“I wonder what happens next!”) to produce highly sticky courses. eLearning Building Blocks The objective of SBL is to provide realistic (or as close to real-life as possible!) skills to learners, that they can subsequently transfer to the workforce. However, to produce realistic scenarios, we sometimes go overboard with too many details and lots of situational data. In doing so, we risk causing cognitive overload among learners. Conversely, not providing sufficient data related to the “teachable items”, or framing scenarios without first offering proper context, may leave learners hamstrung in their … [Read more...] about Eight Highly Effective eLearning Scenario Building Blocks L&D Teams Must Consider
The Art of Building and Using Scenarios in ELearning Courses
At a very macro level, a scenario is a story-based learning aid, set around realistic (or real-like) situations, which highlight potential consequences of behavioral choices. They are built to generate learner interaction with the content and provide meaningful feedback between learner and trainer. Sounds rather complex at first read. So, let's explore scenarios in greater detail, and understand their role in creating highly engaging and impactful eLearning content. Understanding what scenarios do Sometimes, learners dread the thought of attending training – for instance, mandatory certification courses. They’re dull, routine, and repetitive, with not much to look forward to. At other times, eLearning topics may be extremely simple – for instance a course on building fire protocols, or exceptionally technical and complex – for example, a course on calibrating and troubleshooting digital weighing scales. The result in all these instances: Instant learner disengagement! By … [Read more...] about The Art of Building and Using Scenarios in ELearning Courses
How To Host Effective Webinars!
Webinars are effective at gaining your learner's trust, delivering valuable content in a concise way, and if utilized properly, a seamless marketing channel for selling your online courses. What you need to host a webinar There are a few things you'll need to host a professional-looking webinar, whether you opt to do it live or as a pre-recorded/automated production. Let's talk about the options and how to set yourself up for a successful webinar launch. Software The program you choose to host your webinar is as important as the content you plan to include. Ultimately, you want to choose a program that you're intimately familiar with (or are willing to invest the time to learn). Tech issues during a webinar, especially when hosted live, are one of the quickest ways to lose credibility with your audience. Here are a few popular options to explore. Each has its own set of advantages, disadvantages, costs, and usability. Go To Webinar Zoom Google Hangouts Easy … [Read more...] about How To Host Effective Webinars!
How to Scaffold eLearning Content: Four Proven Strategies and Tactics Worth Exploring
FACT: People learn differently, and learning and development (L&D) professionals must adapt to that reality to get results. But, sometimes, it’s not practical to create multiple, personalized versions of an eLearning course to cater to three (or more!) different learning styles. That would take too much time, effort, and resources to make eLearning cost-effective for companies and freelance L&D professionals. So, what’s the answer? Scaffolding! In this post, we’ll explain what scaffolding is, and discuss a popular misconception about it. We’ll also explore some scaffolding strategies and tactics that eLearning creators may consider to make their courses more engaging and effective to their audiences. MISSING THE POINT ON SCAFFOLDING Some L&D professionals, especially those new to the field, might equate scaffolding to “personalization” – it is not! Assuming the two are synonymous would risk missing the point of scaffolding. Unlike personalization, scaffolding … [Read more...] about How to Scaffold eLearning Content: Four Proven Strategies and Tactics Worth Exploring
Using Mind Maps to Develop Your Curriculum
eLearning course curriculum development is the most important step in creating highly informative, engaging courses for a given audience. If you get the curriculum wrong, it’s likely your course, once developed, will not meet its targeted learning objectives. Thankfully, there’s a very useful tool to help eLearning course developers put visual perspective to their curriculum development efforts. It’s called Mind Maps. CURRICULUMS AND CONCEPTS An early example of the use of the mapping technique, to link related concepts, and developing a teaching curriculum from there, is by educationist and researcher Katherine M. Edmondson in 1993[i]. Back then, educators used “concept mapping” as a tool for integrated curriculum development. Experts endorsed its use as: “a valuable tool for curriculum development of any scope or discipline…particularly helpful for creating interdisciplinary courses and case‐based exercises” Today, that simple tool has morphed into a highly visual, interactive, … [Read more...] about Using Mind Maps to Develop Your Curriculum