Developing interactive scenarios

The value of good planning, whiteboards and table-based schemas

Abstract

Fictional or fact-based interactive scenarios (or cases), where students are able to explore a problem, event or issue, can assists with student problem-solving, decision making and interpretation of data or observations in a real-world context. Software exists to assist with authoring and delivery of these types of learning objects, but one of the hardest tasks is the planning and storyboarding of the scenario itself. Interactive scenarios are context-based, often include elements of drama, and may be required to follow a script of sorts. They must also link back to the learning objectives of the lesson. In goal-based scenarios in particular, where students are required to form hypotheses and test them in order to get to the root of a problem, the scope (and limits) of what they can do within the scenario must be carefully thought about. This paper reports on the initial questions which need to be answered before commencing work, and outlines simple techniques such a whiteboard brainstorming and table-based schemas for developing scenario structure and content. Along with their function as planning aids, these techniques can also be useful in communicating the structure and content to other team members during development. Thirdly, they allow archiving of scenarios in an easy-to-access format, so content can be used in different authoring tools than the one they were originally designed for, and for other modes of delivery, such as face-to-face tutorials and scenario walkthroughs.