Automation is threatening to replace human jobs \u2013 the ones that we have today. We have no other choice but to upgrade ourselves with skills that will make us more competitive and relevant in the future workforce. Two of what would be the most sought-after skills are critical thinking and problem-solving.<\/p>\n
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With this in mind, how do we foster and develop these competencies in today\u2019s workplace? We, of course, start with training our learners using a methodology that is known to develop both. The answer? Scenario-based learning, or SBL, is an approach that develops both critical thinking and problem-solving.<\/p>\n
As early as now, it\u2019s a good idea to start prepping our workforce to compete in the inevitable, automated future<\/strong><\/a>. And one of the best ways to ensure our learners\u2019 preparedness is adopting an SBL approach to our current training courses.<\/p>\n SBL is a learning principle that puts more emphasis on context rather content. It posits that competencies are best realized when learning takes place in the context in which it will be applied. Simply put, it means that people learn best when they apply a skill in scenarios that require it \u2013 hence the namesake.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n To reiterate an aforementioned point, these interactive scenarios are used to solicit responses from our learners. These solutions then allow our learners to demonstrate their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n There are numerous applications for SBL. However, it is most effective when used with cases based on actual, rather than hypothetical, scenarios. These learning experiences become more valuable for our learners as they not only get to experience the situation first-hand but are actually required to solve them and develop the needed skills in the process.<\/p>\n Training scenarios that require handling complex situations are the best instances for employing scenario-based learning. It\u2019s due to the fact that these scenarios are usually non-linear in nature and the parameters often change depending on our learners\u2019 responses.<\/p>\n From the learners\u2019 choices, more complex situations that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve would arise. In these occasions, we can also use scenario-based learning to gauge our learners\u2019 skills. These evaluations can either be in the form of formative or summative assessments.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re still unsure if SBL is the way to go, here are five questions you can ask yourself. These help you find out if SBL is the right approach for the next course you\u2019re planning to create – or if it\u2019s a fit for your training program<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Is skill-building and development of problem-solving skills a major part of your training strategy?<\/p>\n \u00b7 Can the scenario-based training examples be simulated in a controlled environment?<\/p>\n \u00b7 Do your learners have, at least, the basic skills to aid them in resolving the situation?<\/p>\n \u00b7 Do you have the resources (time, effort, funding, etc.) to create, advance, and pilot a scenario-based approach?<\/p>\n \u00b7 Will the required skills and your content remain relevant long enough to warrant employing an SBL approach?<\/p>\n If your answer to all five questions is a resounding \u2018yes,\u2019 then, congratulations! Scenario-based learning is definitely a fit for your training program or course!<\/p>\n To be honest, applying SBL on eLearning can be quite a challenge. This is due to the dynamic nature of real-life scenarios. Because of this, SBL course creation can take up a lot of time and effort.<\/p>\n For example, instead of just creating linear slides, you now have to concern yourself with different scenario branches (meaning more slides) \u2013 and this is just for one decision point!<\/p>\n Nevertheless, it doesn\u2019t mean that making SBL eLearning is impossible.<\/strong> We just need to follow these five steps to ensure that our scenario-based eLearning is effective and our learners can get the most out of it.<\/p>\n Like any other course development and instructional design methodology, when you create SBL eLearning courses, you also need to begin with the end in mind. You first need to determine your measurable outcomes and goals.<\/strong> You can then base the course context on those; then develop your content from there.<\/p>\n How are you planning to deliver the course?<\/strong> Are you employing a synchronous or an asynchronous approach? Will you use interactive lessons? How about video, audio, or images? If you plan toset up an online course<\/strong> will you include other active learning activities such as wikis, forums, or social media discussions?<\/p>\n You always need to make sure that the most appropriate media for the course, audience, and scenario are used. Also, take note that eLearning may not always be the best approach. There are times when a \u2018traditional,\u2019 face-to-face session in a classroom is what\u2019s needed for the course to be more effective.<\/p>\n When we say \u2018choose a topic,\u2019 we didn\u2019t mean to literally choose whatever topic you want. Always remember that employing scenario-based learning would require our learners to criticize, assess, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and act on a situation.<\/p>\n Scenarios that result to just following company standard operating procedures are not good topic choices<\/strong>. Using those would only let a learner demonstrate knowledge of procedures, rather than be encouraged to use critical thinking and problem-solving.<\/p>\n The best topics for SBL would be common issues and critical incidents outside the SOPs. Furthermore, a good scenario involves a learner to \u2018look beyond the rulebook.\u2019 Such scenarios will require our learners to a do a full assessment of the situation and utilize their scenario-based problem-solving skills before taking any course of action.<\/p>\n A trigger event is the starting point of scenario-based learning in a course. This is the part where our learners are presented with the situation that needs a resolution. Moreover, it is also the point in the course where most of the \u2018branching\u2019 happens. And in terms of eLearning creation<\/strong><\/a>, this is the part where most of the time and effort gets allocated.<\/p>\nWhat is Scenario-Based Learning (SBL)?<\/h2>\n
When is Scenario-Based Learning Applicable?<\/h2>\n
Is SBL for you?<\/h2>\n
How do you create Scenario-Based eLearning?<\/h2>\n
1. Begin with the end in mind<\/h3>\n
2. Choose the appropriate media<\/h3>\n
3. Choose an appropriate topic<\/h3>\n
4. Determine the trigger event<\/h2>\n