Scenario-Based learning is one of the best interactive learning strategies that keep the learners engaged and boosts knowledge retention rates. Are there more reasons to adopt this strategy? Read on to find out.
As children, most of us have had instances where our teachers and/or elders would give us a specific scenario and ask what we could have done in such circumstances… what we considered fun back then, is actually a powerful learning strategy. True! Scenario-based learning is one of the best ways to keep learning fun and engaging.
And, because the learners are so engaged with the learning and get a better of when to apply their learning to action, there is greater scope for knowledge retention. For instance, when real-world scenarios are used to deliver safety training, the employees get a better understanding of what action to take and when to take it.
Is the Buzz Around Scenario-Based Learning Justified?
Yes! These reasons will let you know why –
- Motivates Learners
- Encourages Application of the Learning
- Challenges Learners and Encourages Critical Thinking
- Helps Learners Understand the Consequences of Failure
- Boosts Learner Engagement
Considering this, scenario-based learning, which is tied to the practical application of the training delivered, is certainly one of the best approaches to deliver corporate training. But better learner engagement and improved knowledge are not the only reasons to adopt scenario-based learning. There are more ways in which scenario-based learning proves to be very rewarding.
Let us discuss a few –
Top 5 Reasons to Adopt Scenario-Based Learning
1. Motivates Learners
You may have spent hours on the development and delivery of an eLearning course for your employees. But all your efforts go down the drain if your employees are not motivated. Owing to this, training managers and Instructional Designers (IDs) are trying to come up with new ways to motivate and engage their learners. scenario-based learning is one such great way.
Curiosity is a natural human instinct that draws us to learn something unexpected. Digital scenario-based learning uses this very instinct by giving the learners a situation, and asking questions during the online training sessions and thus fuels learners’ intrinsic motivation.
Explore more ways to engage and motivate your learners
2. Encourages Application of the Learning
Learning is more fruitful when you get to apply your knowledge and skills. And, scenario-based learning helps employees understand better the use cases where they can apply the knowledge received. For instance, scenario-based learning can be used to deliver leadership training to employees – to facilitate leaders gain exposure to various real-life work scenarios that demand crucial decision-making. The learners get to analyze the scenarios and think of probable solutions to mitigate the challenges. By encouraging critical thinking, and problem-solving, scenario-based learning keeps the employees engaged in the training imparted. Thus, it encourages employees to apply learning to their day-to-day work and solve challenges with ease and efficiency.
3. Challenges Learners and Encourages Critical Thinking
Challenges are engaging and they motivate people to apply their knowledge and skills to come up with a solution. Using this very behavioral instinct, scenario-based learning involves asking questions that challenge the learners to apply their learning.
By challenging the learners to apply their learning and think from different perspectives, scenario-based learning fosters critical thinking. For instance, consider online safety training. During the training session, assume that the employees asked what they would do during a fire emergency, and they are presented with two options to choose from – a. evacuate the building, b. start using fire extinguishers. Such exercises stimulate the employees’ analytical skills, pushing them to apply their critical thinking abilities to work. This very feature of scenario-based learning makes it learner-centric and allows learners to get a better understanding of the intricacies of complex business problems.
4. Let Learners Understand the Consequences of Failure
Have you heard the phrase “Fail, but Fail Right”? It means that it’s ok to fail but it is also important to fail right and learn from the failure so you don’t repeat the mistake. Scenario-based learning not only challenges the learners by asking questions, but it also guides them in case they make the wrong choice. In the light of a wrong choice, the learners are provided with an explanation as to why they are wrong. This way, they get to understand the consequences of failure, and thus, it encourages the fail-right approach to learning.
5. Boosts Learner Engagement
This is definitely one of the most valuable reasons to adopt scenario-based learning to impart corporate training. The use of stories or discussing a scenario – usually a real-life scenario – supports active learning, and this offers relevant, relatable, and impactful learning experiences. This can further make the employees feel more engaged in training. Additionally, the inclusion of interactivities in the training session encourages the employees to make decisions and understand the consequences of their choices. Such an immersive learning experience boosts learner engagement and motivates the learners to be more productive.
Parting Thoughts
To conclude, I would definitely recommend scenario-based learning for delivering your corporate training. It is an excellent way to boost learners’ engagement, motivation, understanding, and performance. The immersive nature of this learning strategy helps your employees find the right ways to handle day-to-day challenges at work. I hope the blog has helped you see the benefits of scenario-based learning.
Are you curious to know more about scenario-based learning? Click on the image below to explore how this imagination-driven tactic helps create better learning environments.
