One of the best practices that they have adopted to ensure learners stay engaged throughout the eLearning course is the scenarios. Instead of reading and clicking-through the eLearning contents, learners have the opportunity to learn through real-life scenarios.

Furthermore, learners are more motivated by scenario-based eLearning than traditional learning. However, there are always technical topics that can seem too tedious to comprehend.

E-learning professionals use scenarios to tackle such boring and complicated topics that can bring out the yawn. In this article, we will talk about how you can use scenarios to your advantage in your eLearning courses.

What is Scenario in eLearning

Scenario-based learning involves the use of different strategies to instruct learners on a new skill by using several kinds of problem-based context. It usually entails the learners learning through a storyline which is usually a problem-solving one. The learners are presented with several tasks that can happen in real-life working environments and are required to solve them.

When to use Scenario in eLearning

Scenarios are used in the eLearning industry to boost learners’ engagement and improve their working skills. L&D professionals can use a scenario in areas where the aim is to improve learners or to teach the team new skills.

More so, It is useful in areas where the learner can apply critical thinking to solve real-life issues. For example, scenario-based learning can be used to training medical practitioners, pilots, and military men, etc. Learners are seated in a simulated learning environment that represents real-life experience and are required to solve the problem.

Scenarios can be used in eLearning in the following primary areas.

• Compliance training
• Soft skill and office etiquette
• Diagnosis
• Technical training
• Team building etc.

How to use Scenarios in eLearning

1.     Analyze and identify your training goals

Analyze all required elements carefully to get a clearer picture of your learners. What skills do they need to learn? What skill have they already acquired? Afterward, use your analyses to define your learning objectives and work towards developing the scenario-based eLearning course content.

Below are the tips to identify the training goals which could help you create better scenarios.

• What kind of skills do your learners have and what skills are they willing to build
• What kind of challenges are your learners experiencing that can hinder their progress.
• Will the scenario help to improve your learner’s performance and help them discover their potential.

When answering the above questions, be sincere to yourself so that you can create a relevant scenario eLearning that will have an impact on learners.

2.     Build your scenario

Once you have listed out the basic requirement, determine the kind of story you want your scenario to tell. Make sure your scenario is related to your eLearning training objectives. However, to build a lasting impression in the mind of your learners, you must create a scenario that is realistic in your eLearning course. Your storyboard must convey learning that impacts your learners and boost their engagement.

3.     Identify the design format: Tell a story visually

Your eLearning scenarios should tell a story. If possible, use visuals. Visuals will tell your story better. It will also allow your learners to relate to your storyboarding well. That is, when making it come alive in front of their eyes, they will appreciate it and understand it better. Generally, it will help them to retain knowledge and stay engaged throughout the process.

Consider the below tips when developing an interesting visual.

• Use topics that can use storytelling.
• Determine the trigger point that will initiate the learning.
• Concentrate more on the details
• Create an appropriate plot where all the story unfolds.

4.     Be emotional

Human beings are emotional beings. We easily remember an event that stirs up our emotions in greater detail. Be sure that your storyboard expresses emotion and can stir up the feelings of learners. If your story moves them, it will help your learners to remember the learning.

They will also be able to retain this knowledge over a long period. For example, if your scenario is about how to perform a rescue operation. Every learner knows the importance of life, so they will remain engaged in the process to see our they can rescue such a victim.

Consider the below when creating an emotional learning experience.

• Use media to engage emotional senses.
• Design scenarios that learners can relate to within reality.
• Use a short teaching method with real-life heroes.
• Make learners do something by participating in how the story unfolds.

5.     Develop scenarios to provide detailed feedback.

Design scenario in a way to get feedback from your learners. It would be useful in enhancing your Scenario-Based Learning strategy. It will help you to improve on your next eLearning course.