eLBX Online Day 23 – Using Characters and Scenarios in eLearning

Posted March 30, 2019

A well-written scenario makes learning personal by inviting your learners to practice real-world challenges and apply what they’ve learned in a safe environment. In this webinar, eLearning Brothers Senior Product Manager Chris Willis joined us to talk about using characters and scenarios in eLearning development.

Today, Chris Willis covered:

1. The Role of Training Scenarios

Chris challenged attendees with the question “Why use scenarios?” Here are some of their responses:

To make it relevant and realistic
A narrative is a powerful way to transfer knowledge
Helps learners understand the WHY
It’s just more fun!

2. Seven Rules for Effective Scenarios

Make a Mental Connection
Model Real Life
Connect to Outcomes
Right Size
Get Real
First Things First
Get the Facts

3. How You Can Use eLearning Brothers Conversation Starter Templates to Author More Engaging Scenarios

Chris walked attendees through different conversation starter templates available in the eLearning Brothers Library. Attendees got a chance to brainstorm different uses for each template. It was inspiring to see the wide variety of topics different people envisioned for just one template.

Open Q&A From the Webinar

In the Q&A at the end of the webinar, an attendee asked, “Do you have any guidance in terms of how much information should be provided in feedback to support the decision the learner made?”

Chris responded with my new favorite quote: “Feedback should be like a pair of shorts—long enough to cover the topic but short enough to keep it interesting.”

Another attendee asked about research supporting the theory that using characters can improve learning retention or make for better scenarios.

One source is The Personalization Principle by Ruth Colvin Clark and Richard E. Mayer, which shows that learning is more effective when it uses conversational style and virtual coaches. This concept is also touched upon in an article in Learning Solutions Magazine (page 7).

Thanks for a great webinar, Chris!