In this new article we are talking about scenario-based learning and how it can be used in the virtual classroom, but what is scenario-based learning?
Let’s find out
What is scenario-based learning?
Scenario-based learning is a great method that aims at elevating the learning outcomes of the learner from comprehension to analysis and putting it into practice.
Once the learner obtains a real skill, he or she can use it to make informed decisions and perform a task efficiently.
It is crucial for the instructors to keep their scenarios in a realistic way for the learner to internalize and understand how to use the knowledge in a practical way.
It will be very difficult for a learner to practice what he or she has never encountered in the real world.
One way to obtain real-life examples is by talking to the experts in the field of study to come up with the appropriate scenarios.
Another great way is to interview people who are employed in a similar field to what learners are studying.
Discussing the problems that arise regularly at the workplace and how these people solved them will engage your learners and help them retain crucial information.
E-Learning
Scenario-based learning is used in instructor-led training and e-learning.
E-learning involves the use of electronic media to study and learn effectively.
Learners who have used e-learning methods such as videos and searchers from paper writing services have reported to learn and understand things faster compared to the traditional system.
The main advantage of e-learning is that the instructor has complete control over it.
It saves time because it’s not easy to lose track and deviate from the topic of discussion.
During their free time, learners get the chance to explore and learn more about the topic of discussion.
Using scenario-based learning to make e-learning engaging and practical to the learner is simple and quite effective.
To ensure that e-learning scenarios are valuable to the learner, it is important for the instructor to create the most realistic scenario that will cover most of the paths that the learners might take.
It’s crucial for instructors to take their time when creating these scenarios for them to have a huge impact on the learners.
Instructor-led learning
Scenario-based learning is an amazing way to see how the learners think and correct them along the way if necessary.
One good thing about instructor-led learning is the lively and timely feedback provided to the learners to improve their skills.
Some learners have reported a number of constraints in the classroom that could hinder learning such as flexibility and time constraints.
Speaking of flexibility, class schedules are normally fixed and are therefore not subject to the changes in the environment.
In case of an emergency, the learner cannot adjust or reschedule the class.
Instructor-led learning gives the instructor and the learner an opportunity to bond and create lively relationships which will definitely have an impact on the engagement and learning curve.
Adults learn differently
It’s always important to keep in mind that adults, unlike children only engage when the subject of discussion or content is relevant to their way of life.
This is why most virtual classrooms use slides and lectures.
Learners must be involved in what they are studying if they want to improve.
The aim of scenario-based learning is just that.
The most valuable resource we all have is time.
We must use it properly all the time to avoid failure and regret in the future.
Formal learning takes up a lot of time and resources.
Therefore, you have to ensure that all the lessons are relevant and impact the learners.
In most virtual classrooms, the aim is to get as much content out for learners to be informed.
While this is good in some way, it leaves the learners confused and unable to implement what they’ve learned in the real world.
Use time wisely
As we said earlier, scenario-based learning is all about solving problems.
These problems should be closely linked to the learners to enhance efficient learning.
In every organization, the employees are the greatest assets.
Without employees, no operation can happen.
The business is not the office space, furniture, or computers.
It is the people.
All business managers should ensure that their employees are continuously learning and improving themselves for the organization to move forward.
This means investing in quality learning and training sessions regularly.
There are tons of companies and online resources that you can use as a business manager to promote and improve the education and skills of your employees.
Using the best company to help your employees learn will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Plus, it will also save your business.
Learners should be engaged emotionally for the training to have a huge impact on them.
The aim of scenario-based learning is to encourage learners to use their education and skills to improve their productivity, performance and ultimately achieve their results.
If learners cannot apply what they learn, then it is a waste of time and money.
Tips for Virtual Teachers
Virtual teaching is not the easiest profession in the world.
However, by following these practical tips, you and your students will become successful.
These tips will save you a lot of time and energy in the virtual classroom.
You need time and preparation
The effectiveness of your lessons will be dependent on how much time you take to prepare.
In fact, it requires more preparation than the traditional classroom.
Preparing involves re-thinking the way you present your coursework, materials, and assignments.
You’ll also need to map out what you’re going to present.
Your content should easy to read and accessible.
Keep in mind that people attend virtual lessons due to their flexibility and speed.
This allows them to multi-task and complete other tasks while learning.
Get familiar with your classroom
Before you start working on your materials, it’s important to set time aside to learn web-based programming for your class.
Teaching does not just involve walking into your classroom, starting a conversation, and smiling at your students.
Think of the different ways you can use to welcome your students to the virtual classroom.
Something like a welcoming message after logging in can work wonders.
When it comes to assignments and materials, practice assigning, uploading, grading, and retrieving before the class.
Knowing what you are going to teach will accelerate learning and enhance the experience.
Communicate
In virtual classrooms, communication is critical because there is no face to face.
Since most students will assume that you are always available for them, it’s important to check your messages, e-mail or chat notifications regularly.
Schedule some time to respond to your students’ questions and queries.
You also need to provide your feedback in a thorough, complete and timely way to avoid issues in the future.
Virtual classrooms will take more time compared to traditional classrooms in this respect.
However, you’ll get the opportunity to understand your students and adjust your course to fit with their learning styles.
Easy navigation
You should always ensure that you present your coursework clearly and concisely.
As we said earlier, students use online courses because of flexibility and speed.
Therefore, they’ll expect to log in quickly and easily access the learning materials while submitting tests and assignments.
With these facts in mind, you’ll have to ensure that everything is laid out well.
If you are having a hard time navigating your away around your class, chances are your students are experiencing the same.
If possible, try logging in as a student and check out the learning materials.
Download them or try to upload your submissions.
Ensuring that everything is running smoothly will enhance the learning experience.
Tests and assignments take longer
Tests and assignments will take longer than you expect.
For instance, assigning a 30-minute assignment in a traditional classroom is not the same as assigning in the virtual classroom.
They will take longer because students will be working on other tasks during the day.
Therefore, planning your assignment deadlines is one of the keys to success in virtual classrooms.
Before uploading assignments, ensure that your students have all the materials necessary to tackle the assignment.
Build an online community
In the virtual classroom, a strong sense of community matters a lot.
You’ll need to encourage people to use emails, message boards, and group chats to reach you for any questions.
Most students tend to log in, download learning materials and assignments and log out.
You can further connect with your students by coming up with creative questions and discussions.
Engaging your students and encouraging them to communicate with each other is one of the best ways to create an interactive classroom and learn more about them. Show them that their opinions matter.
Join the conversation: In this new article we are talking about scenario-based learning and how it can be used in the virtual classroom, but what is scenario-based learning?Click To TweetNever ignore questions
Students will always ask questions when they don’t understand something.
Making time to respond to their questions or make something clear will pay off in spades in the long run.
In a virtual classroom, it’s easy to ignore questions since no one is monitoring you.
But if this becomes a habit, your students will stop asking questions and they’ll look for a better person to answer their questions.
As we said earlier, keep checking your social media platforms, email and inbox on the platform to answer questions in a clear and timely manner.
Ask for feedback
As a virtual teacher, you’ll need to ask for feedback to know what you should improve on.
Don’t wait until the course ends to ask for feedback.
Be open and read your comments.
Since no one can please everybody, you should be prepared for some negative feedback.
Instead of beating yourself down, use it to empower yourself.
When it comes to criticism, the person is either right or wrong.
Either way, you shouldn’t complain.
Improving your teaching methods will help you reach out to more students and adjust your material to make it more friendly.
Improving online interaction
Communication in the traditional and virtual classroom are different. In a traditional classroom, you can have many students talking to you at the same time.
But in a virtual classroom, you might have only one person speaking or none.
To understand your students, you’ll have to interact with them.
Therefore, interaction much more critical in a virtual classroom than a traditional classroom.
So, how can you maximize interaction?
- Use the chat box – This is one of the easiest and best tools for virtual teachers because it can be used to reinforce instructions and communicate with struggling students. Integrating the chat functions into a variety of activities will help students share their opinions and ideas.
- Post questions and set polls – Most platforms with the videoconferencing feature have a polling function that enables you to start discussions with learners. Interacting with students through polls and questions will enable you to check their understanding. Focusing on what they don’t know is key to helping them learn.
- Plan ahead – When it comes to interactions, you’ll need to plan ahead. Thinking of how your learners are going to interact during the session will help you discover what you may want to focus on or specify. As the popular saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Don’t start the interactions unprepared. In fact, you should never start any lesson unprepared. It’s better to spend a lot of time preparing and achieving your goals in the end than rushing and failing in the long run.
E-learning and instructor-led learning are great ways to help learners develop their skills, make informed decisions and improve their productivity and performance in the long run.
The instructor is free to use any of the methods he or she deems fit to help the learner make progress.
With the advancement of technology, every aspect of our lives has been made easier. As the popular saying goes, the more you learn, the more you earn.
Never stop learning. Happy teaching and learning!
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Rosemary
Timely given that so many people are going online to learn stuff during social isolation/sheltering in place/lockdown. We have more time to learn stuff and, if you’re a teacher, you’re more in demand online than every before.
Joy Healey
There’s a lot of virtual learning going on here for school children in the UK, and although I haven’t been involved, I have heard it’s been very well received.
My virtual learning has been on a yoga class with a teacher I used to go to when I was in Harrow. I’m enjoying it very much, although I pit the poor teacher trying to see what we’re all up to! However, she is actually giving more ‘corrections and advice’ than I have been getting from my ‘real’ class here in Norwich. Would love to carry on with this, but I suspect when lockdown is over she’ll revert to her ‘real’ classes 🙁
Joy Healey – Blogging After Dark
Joy Healey recently posted…Becoming ADA Compliant, Why I’ll Never Be Rich
claire zoe
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and heart. These are all such good reminders that are so easy to forget. Sometimes I forget the basics; the simple things that inform and help people feel safe. Some of the things that makes me feel safe to work with someone, is feeling their honesty, down to earth-ness, clear intent, healthy boundaries and their own enjoyment of the work they do. Thanks Mark!