This blog looks at branching scenarios and how they can be used. An example is shown, based on a workplace scenario, with the learner taking the part of a character in the story. The route the learner follows through the resource will vary depending on the decisions they make.
What are branching scenarios?
Branching scenarios are an interactive form of learning, providing challenges to the learner and takes them on a route through the learning content based on their answers. The advantage of branching scenarios over, say, quizzes, is that while quizzes are linear, scenarios are not, meaning they are unpredictable and have multiple routes.
The scenario can introduce the user to challenges that could take place, say within the workplace. In the following workplace scenario, a learner takes the part of a character in the story. At specific points, the learner is faced with a situation where they have to make a decision on the action they should take. The route they follow through learning will vary depending on those decisions. This resource is built around specific learning objectives around communication skills, and at the points where It branches (a decision point) it is possible to award and subtract points against the specific skills being developed.
An example from Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES)
As you look at the activity, produced by Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES) – consider what skills it is measuring and how the situations and questions enable that to happen.
At each point, a decision is made, feedback can be given about the decision made. At the end of the game, learners are presented with their results and reflect on the areas they may need to improve further.
Resources that can be used to create branching scenarios
The eTrees authoring tool, used to create this resource is no longer available, but branching scenarios can be created using other authoring tools such as Xerte, Articulate 360, Branchtrack, or iSpring. H5P has a tutorial on creating a branching scenario as well as providing a plugin for VLEs such as Moodle and Canvas.
Benefits of game-based learning
- They enable learners to work on solving problems and performing tasks that relate to real-life situations.
- Including the learner as a participant in the scenario gives them an instant attachment to the learning and a sense of responsibility.
- The gaming element can motivate and engage.
- The learner is in control of the paths they take and if they repeat the exercise they may follow a completely different journey.
- The learners reflect through feedback from other characters in the scenario on the actions they take, at that time they make them.
- If combined with discussion, there is a social element to the learning.
- They can measure their strengths and weaknesses on completion of the scenario.
- The learner analytics can aid the teacher in informing future learning needs.
- They promote changes in attitude and behaviour.
Branching scenarios (or stories) encourage discussion amongst learners of the routes they took and the outcomes of their decisions. They can learn from the resource, their own journey, and that of others.
How do you create a branching scenario?
The scenario posed to the learner must be relevant to them. Your aim is for the learner to learn through the consequence of the actions they take. The learner has to engage with the scenario for this to happen and to carefully consider the steps they take at the decision points. When designing it you need to offer alternative options, avoiding giving totally implausible suggestions. Feedback following a decision by the learner should prompt them to reflect on their actions so that they consider their performance during and on completion of the resource.
- The game needs to be easy to play from the learner perspective
- Decide what learning outcomes the game will cover. Create a scenario and decision points that focus on specific skills towards those learning outcomes, that way you can award points for each branch at each decision point.
- The questions set should challenge the learner, if the options are too easy they will be bored, too hard they will simply guess without thought.
- Think about the other characters within the scenario, the dialogue they use is authentic to a real-life situation.
- Involve the learner so they participate through the character they are assigned. You want to draw them into the scenario. Give them a sense of anticipation about what might happen next.
- Encourage reflection throughout the game.
Top Tip
If making a game like this, it is important to plan it out, you could do this using mind-mapping software or even post-it notes.
Written for HOLEX by Ideas4Learning Limited