Presentations on Scenario-Based Learning and More

I have given a number of presentations on scenario-based learning over the past five years, plus a few presentations on other topics. I have also had the pleasure of being interviewed on several podcasts and video casts. While I often share those recordings on my blog as they happen, this is the first time I have compiled a complete list like this. All of these recordings are freely available with no registration. I’m linking to blog posts about the presentations rather than directly to the recordings because I often include links to resources or further information in my posts.

Presentations on scenario-based learning

Scenario-Based Learning (General Overview)

Scenario-Based Learning: Why & How

Are you looking for ways to make your training more relevant and engaging? Have you ever thought that adding scenarios might improve your courses, but you weren’t sure where to start? Do you want to use scenarios, but you’re not sure how with limited time and resources? This presentation introduces the why and how of scenario-based learning to help you get started.

Go Beyond Boring: Creating Scenario-Based Learning That Engages Participants

Go Beyond Boring: Creating Scenario-based Learning That Engages Participants

Using scenarios can make your elearning more engaging and relevant. You can use scenarios to “hook” your learners and draw them into the story right from the start. Scenario-based learning can affect emotions to make participants care about the content and keep them engaged. You can use scenarios to practice relevant decision-making skills in situations similar to real life. Decision-making scenarios increase engagement, improve skill transfer, and accelerate expertise. While branching scenarios are one effective strategy, a range of options beyond branching are available for incorporating storytelling and scenarios in elearning. Many of these strategies can be used regardless of what development tool you use.

Streamlining Branching Scenario Planning and Design

In this session, you’ll learn how to streamline your processes for branching scenarios, from initial planning through writing and creating a functional prototype. You’ll start from the beginning, by analyzing the problem you’re trying to solve and identifying your objectives. You’ll learn what questions to ask SMEs and other sources to get stories and examples to incorporate in your branching scenario. I’ll share tips for planning the flow of your scenario, including comparing different branching structures of varied complexity. You’ll see how the free, open-source tool Twine can streamline the process of planning, writing, and prototyping branching scenarios. You’ll learn the advantages of writing one complete path in the branching scenario from start to finish before fleshing out the alternative paths.

Choosing Branching Scenarios When They Matter Most

In this session, you’ll learn how to evaluate training problems to decide when to use a branching scenario or another approach. You’ll review criteria for deciding when branching scenarios provide enough benefit to justify the effort required to create them. This will help you use branching scenarios when they matter most, saving you time and effort while creating quality learning experiences. You’ll also explore alternatives to branching scenarios such as limited branching and one-question scenarios. These alternatives use some elements of branching scenarios but are simpler to design and develop. You’ll also review the eight “learning domains” identified by Ruth Clark as good candidates for scenario-based eLearning.

Better Feedback for Scenario-Based eLearning

When you create a scenario, you work hard to make it realistic and relevant for your learners. Unfortunately, even otherwise engaging scenarios sometimes include abstract feedback like “Incorrect. Please try again.” Simply saying the choice is right or wrong can make learners lose interest and focus, and it doesn’t help them learn from their mistakes.

You will learn how to show learners the consequences of their decisions rather than telling them they’re right or wrong in scenario-based eLearning. This is the difference between “intrinsic feedback” and “instructional feedback.” We will explore several different options for intrinsic feedback, such as progress meters, character responses, and environmental changes. You’ll learn guidelines for when to use immediate feedback and when to delay the feedback in scenarios. We’ll discuss how to design feedback to meet the needs of both novice and expert learners. You’ll also learn when direct instructional feedback is beneficial for learning.

Podcasts and interviews on scenario-based learning

Scenario-Based Learning Q&A with Devlin Peck

In this interview, I discussed when to use scenarios, tips for working with SMEs and stakeholders, planning and designing branching scenarios, and tools and resources.

Off the Cuff with Alexander Salas on Scenario-Based Learning

Off the Cuff on Scenario-Based Learning

Alexander Salas interviewed me on Off the Cuff about scenario-based learning. Listen to us chat about types of scenarios for learning, how to use them, and more.

Scenario-Based Learning Experiences

Scenario-Based Learning Experiences Podcast Interview

Jacqueline Hutchinson of The Lounge podcast and I had a lovely conversation on scenario-based learning. She had some great questions about how to use scenarios and storytelling in learning experiences that led to a really fun chat. We talked about some “horror stories” and scenarios gone wrong, using scenarios to make compliance training not sleep-inducing, and options besides branching scenarios for incorporating storytelling.

Presentations on other topics

Transitioning from Teaching to Instructional Design

In this presentation, I shared my story of moving from teaching to instructional design, as well as tips for finding a job.

Blogging to Build Your Business

In this presentation, I share what I have learned about blogging to build a reputation as a consultant. I discussed the mistakes I made, compare platforms, and share tips.

How Freelance Clients Find Me

I don’t do very much to actively seek out clients; most of my clients find me. This presentation explains my recommendations for becoming visible to clients.

Podcasts and interviews on other topics

These are recorded presentations about topics other than scenario-based learning.

Designing Engaging Digital Learning

In this podcast with Keith Quinn, we discussed a range of topics related to online and digital learning.

Instructional Design Certificate or Master’s Degree

I spoke Luis Malbas and the TLD Community about whether it’s better for your career to get an instructional design certificate or a master’s degree. This is part of their Certificates and Certifications playlist for February. We also talked about portfolios, as your portfolio is often as important (maybe more so) than your formal credentials.

Estimating eLearning Development Costs

Cost of eLearning Development based on Learner “Seat Time”: What the Research Says

This is a direct link to a Crowdcast recording for the IDIODC show (Instructional Designers in Offices Drinking Coffee). I reviewed Bryan Chapman’s research and the ATD research on estimating development time and cost.

How I Became an ID

In this podcast interview with Dr. Robin Sargent, I discuss how I transitioned from teaching to instructional design and provide tips for new IDs.

Freelancing and Consulting

Podcast Interview on Freelancing and Consulting

Kristin Anthony talked to me about moving into freelancing and consulting, positioning yourself in the market, finding clients, pricing strategies, and managing my business.

L&D and D&D: Learning and Role Playing Games

On TLDC, we had a conversation about role playing games like D&D and instructional design with Matthew Pierce, Jonathan Rock, & Luis Malbas.

Looking for ways to make branching scenarios easier to manage? Learn how to save time and manage the complexity of branching scenarios while still providing rich, valuable learning experiences. Subscribe to my blog and get my free 19-page PDF guide filled with tips and tactics for streamlining branching scenario planning and design.

Cover of Streamlining Branching Scenario Planning and Design

Download the free branching scenario guide