Charisma — Storytelling powered by artificial intelligence
Charisma is an AI tool for creating and interacting with virtual characters. It can be used for gaming and VR application, but also for training and conversation simulations.
Elearning Examples - Scenarios & Branching | SmartBuilder
Example scenarios using the Smartbuilder tool. Even if you don't use this tool (I haven't tried it myself), reviewing other scenarios can be helpful for inspiration.
ChatGPT integration with Storyline for eLearning -Infinite Scenarios - YouTube
Garima Gupta shows an example of a scenario with an open-ended question rather than multiple choice. She uses Storyline for the front end and Javascript to call ChatGPT for the responses. This is more like an AI chatbot rather than a programmatic chatbot. This is done through a paid subscription service through her company, Artha Learning.
Interactivity Vs. Engagement: Going beyond meaningless clicks
Jahan Kay clarifies the differences between interactivity and engagement, especially cognitive and emotional engagement. The article notes some types of interaction that may support cognitive engagement: scenario-based learning, simulations, discussions, and social interaction.
But the real value of interactivity doesn't lie in the number of physical interactions. It's about the depth of cognitive engagement these interactions can ignite.
ThingLink: Create unique experiences with interactive images, videos & 360° media
Branching scenario tool for simulations, interactive videos, and more. This has a clear emphasis on both including a range of multimedia plus tracking interaction data.
However, the way they track data is by hosting it themselves, which affects the pricing model. The pricing is $4/user/month–which seems really high to me, considering that’s more than some full-blown LMSs that can host hundreds of courses. They have a minimum of 50 users, which means the minimum cost is $200/month. Even if the tool is great, I think that’s would be a hard sell for most organizations.
E-Learning Edition 2023 - Enterprise Viewpoint
Enterprise Viewpoint's February 2023 issue is focused on elearning. I contributed an article (From "Click Next" to "Choose Your Path": Elearning with Branching Scenarios. Also, check out the other contributions on a range of topics from Michael Allen, Tom Kuhlmann, Cammy Bean, Allison Rossett, Jean Marripodi, Richard Goring, and Charles Jennings.
6 Things Video Games Can Teach You About Writing Engaging Scenarios - E-Learning Heroes
Tips for writing engaging scenarios, plus examples from specific games
Now, this isn’t to say your scenario’s aesthetics are meaningless. It’s more that if you have a limited amount of time and resources, it’s best to focus on crafting the story and keep the look and feel simple.
<p>When it doesn’t take much thinking to identify the correct choice, it quickly becomes boring.</p>
<p>Instead, it’s better to give your audience challenging yet realistic decisions to ponder. Things that make them think hard about what the best option could be. </p>
So what’s the best way to avoid clunky 90’s video game dialogue in your scenarios? Read your script out loud as you’re drafting it. If it sounds weird as you say it, that’s a good sign that it could use reworking.
Fun is a crucial part of what makes game-like experiences like scenarios so engaging. Just make sure that the majority of the fun serves to reinforce the project’s learning goals.
Decisions, Decisions! – Engage Brain and Train!
A humorous Choose Your Own Adventure branching scenario sample by Jonathan Hill. The look and feel matches the classic books. Jonathan includes a tip to consider adding decisions in the beginning that have no impact on the outcome (just a cosmetic change), but provide a tutorial or practice on using the controls.
Scenario Writing: Top 5 Pitfalls | Scissortail Creative Services, LLC
Common mistakes and pitfalls for writing scenario-based learning.
- Not tying the story to the learning objectives.
- Getting preachy.
- Avoiding the gray areas.
- Writing robotic speech.
- Disguising info dumps as conversations.
Branching Scenarios: Yes, No, Maybe? – The H5P PB Kitchen
This is another post about Alan Levine's branching scenario built in H5P and Pressbooks. At the bottom of the post, Alan provides links to several other examples of branching scenarios built in H5P.
An H5P Branching Scenario That Might Break the Boat – CogDogBlog
Alan Levine built this very complex branching scenario in H5P and Pressbooks. This includes some scenario images and descriptions, plus a separate tracker where you have to fill out forms with info and keep track of finances and other notes. Alan's blog post explains how he built the random events (which were originally a card draw in the physical version).
Designing Scenario-Based Learning for Skill Development | Learning Solutions Magazine
This article from Bill Brandon gives an overview of the development sequence for scenario-based learning, plus a preview of my session on Streamlining Branching Scenario Planning and Design.
<a href="https://learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1108/how-to-engage-learners-with-scenario-based-learning-/?utm_campaign=lspub&utm_medium=link&utm_source=link">Scenario-based learning</a> (SBL) and the inclusion of practice with feedback are much more effective approaches to the development of skill and competence.
Celestory - Create your customized training
Tool for creating branching scenario training or interactive games. I haven't tried this yet, but there's a free version that would be enough to test it out. The tool collects data on user behavior. The website says it's using AI to analyze behavior, but it's not quite clear exactly what that AI is doing.
How to give delayed FEEDBACK in a Google Form -
Branching scenarios can be built in Google Forms. It may not be my first choice as a tool, but plenty of teachers in schools are restricted to Google tools. This post goes step by step to show how to provide either immediate or delayed feedback and how to create branching with the "Go to Section" option.
Resources for Creating Branching Scenarios - E-Learning Uncovered
Diane Elkin's curated resources on creating branching scenarios, including examples, books, blog posts, and templates.
Scenario examples for training – Learn instructional design for the workplace from Cathy Moore
A collection of example scenarios from multiple sources, built in multiple tools. Cathy describes each scenario and asks questions to help you reflect about the design.
Yo Scenario | The branching scenario builder
A browser-based branching scenario builder. Free for 5 scenarios to try it out. Paid plans start at £20/ month.
Products - Kognito
This vendor has a library of scenario-based courses using virtual coaches. One interesting note is how each decision has two parts. First, you choose which strategy to use. Second, you choose which sentence within that strategy to try in the conversation. You can ask for help from the virtual coach or undo your last action. While the 3D virtual characters are great, you could use that two-part technique in simulations built in other tools as well. Watch the trailers to get an idea of how the interactions work.
13 eLearning Scenario Tips that 60 Experts Agree On – eLearningArt
Bryan Jones asked 60 people for their #1 tip for creating scenarios. He noted the top trends and collected these tips all in a single post. My tip is #23 about aligning the scenario to the objectives.
<p>these are the 13 most important elements:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="#real">Keep it real</a></li>
<li><a href="#relevant">Make it relevant</a></li>
<li><a href="#structure">Follow a structured approach</a></li>
<li><a href="#plan">Plan and analyze before you build</a></li>
<li><a href="#objectives">Keep the learning objectives and outcomes in mind</a></li>
<li><a href="#story">Tell a story</a></li>
<li><a href="#context">Provide accurate context</a></li>
<li><a href="#nuance">Find nuance in the scenario</a></li>
<li><a href="#choice">Consider scenario choices carefully</a></li>
<li><a href="#sme">Collaborate with your subject matter experts</a></li>
<li><a href="#learner">Collaborate with your actual learners</a></li>
<li><a href="#challenge">Challenge your learners</a></li>
<li><a href="#consequences">Let learners experience consequences</a></li></ol>
<h3>Use your objectives to drive the action in your scenarios</h3>
<blockquote><p>Align your scenario with your objectives. An engaging scenario that doesn’t help learners practice relevant decisions tied to your objectives is a waste of time and resources. Use scenarios to provide learners with a realistic context where they can make choices. In a scenario, the main character’s goal often reflects achieving or demonstrating the learning objective. Use your objectives to drive the action in your scenarios.</p></blockquote>
<p>— <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.syniadlearning.com/">Christy Tucker</a></span></p>
Branching Scenario (beta) | H5P
H5P has a tool for branching scenarios now. The sample is a well-done interactive video scenario for home visitors.
LearnletsSolutions for Tight Cycles of Assessment - Learnlets
Mini-scenarios and branching scenarios provide better assessment than traditional multiple choice, but this provides some other options for deeper assessment that can still be scored by a computer.
Scenario-Based Training for Workforce L&D
How scenario-based training reduces the time required to develop expertise, plus links to other articles and resources (including my blog posts)
Stephen's Web ~ Managing the Complexity of Branching Scenarios ~ Stephen Downes
Stephen Downes comments in response to my post on managing the complexity of scenarios that merging paths makes it "more like a narration and less like a game." Is it bad for stories for learning and with specific learning objectives to be a bit more like a narration? Perhaps that's a feature, not a bug. Also, most video games do this to some extent. Mass Effect does not have 27 different endings, for example.
Twine (and similar systems) allow paths to merge, reducing the number of possibilities, but at the cost of making the scenario more like a narration and less like a game.
52 eLearning Experts Share their Best Tip for Creating Engaging eLearning
My tip plus 51 others on creating engaging eLearning
Instead of only typical multiple choice questions, try mini-scenarios. Write a few sentences to set a scenario with a problem. A customer voices an objection, software displays an error message, or an employee asks a manager for help. Next, ask learners which action or response they would choose. Now you have a one-question decision-making scenario rather than just an abstract comprehension question. You can do this with any tool, and it creates a more interesting practice or assessment to engage learners.
Scenario based training headquarters: Cathy Moore
Cathy Moore's collected resources on scenario-based learning
The Benefits of Scenario Based Training
Scenario-based training better reflects real-life decision making
<p>There is no linear path into what they are subjected. The situations are complex. They often fail and they learn by reflection, becoming much better at the judgements they make next time, even though next time the environment and the scenarios presented are different.</p>
<p>After completing a few exercises, they build their own view of the patterns that are evident and are able to move into a new scenario with confidence even if the environment and scenario is radically different.</p>
<p>Learning on reflection before plunging into the next scenario helps to build the patterns in the participants’ minds that are the evidence that they have learnt.</p>
<p>Quizzes based on scenarios with a, “What would you do next?”, question builds quick and fun repetition into the training programme, helping transfer from short term memory to long term memory.</p>
Accelerating Expertise with Scenario-Based e-Learning - The Watercooler Newsletter : The Watercooler Newsletter
Ruth Clark on how scenario-based elearning accelerates expertise and when to use it
What is Scenario-Based e-Learning?
<em>A. The learner assumes the role of an actor responding to a job realistic situation.</em>
<em>B. The learning environment is preplanned</em>.
<em>C. Learning is inductive rather than instructive.</em>
<em>D. The instruction is guided</em>.
<em>E. Scenario lessons incorporate instructional resources.</em>
<em>F. The goal is to accelerate workplace expertise.</em>
As you consider incorporating scenario-based e-Learning into your instructional mix, consider whether the acceleration of expertise will give you a return on investment. For example, interviews with subject matter experts indicated that automotive technicians must complete about 100 work orders to reach a reasonable competency level in any given troubleshooting domain. Comparing delivery alternatives, OJT would require around 200+ hours, instructor-led training would require around 100 hours, and scenario-based e-Learning simulations require approximately 33–66 hours.
Finally, many learners find scenario-based e-Learning more motivating than traditional instructional formats. Solving a work-related problem makes the instruction immediately relevant.
Story-based elearning: top tips for captivating elearning
10 tips focused on how to write compelling stories for learning. These aren't about the technology, but about how you craft characters, conflict, and narrative.
Focus on better writing, not the bells and whistles
3 quick tips for strong scenarios
Tips from Cathy Moore on writing scenarios:
- Put dialog in quotation marks.
- Ask, "Why aren't they doing it?"
- Branching? Start with the end in mind.
Top 7 Benefits of Scenario-Based Training Infographic - e-Learning Infographicse-Learning Infographics
This is an infoposter rather than a true infographic, but it's a nice visual list of benefits of scenario-based training