6 eLearning Branching Scenario Examples for Immersive Learning
Want to create immersive learning experiences with storytelling techniques? Take inspiration from these eLearning branching scenario examples.
Want to create immersive learning experiences with storytelling techniques? Take inspiration from these eLearning branching scenario examples.
Have you ever played a game that allows you to choose your own adventure? Your choices determine the gameplay. The same approach can also be applied to eLearning to create immersive experiences for learners.
Basically, the learning material branches into different paths depending on the choices made by the learner, making the learning process interactive. If you have learners with diverse learning needs, this is an excellent way to cater to their individual requirements.
Wondering how to curate such an experience? Here are some eLearning branching scenario examples to inspire you.
Below, we discuss examples of branching scenarios ranging in complexity and style. These examples will give you a starting point to create engaging eLearning experiences.
Source: Gamified Sales Simulation
Gamification in eLearning is a sure-shot way to improve learner engagement. In this gamified sales simulation, Elucidat uses a points-based system to take the learner through various sales scenarios.
Learners can either review learning content before attempting the simulations or jump straight into them. The client is Leon, who is looking for a software that is easy to use and offers high-quality outputs.
As the learners respond to prospects, they are branched with different scenarios. The use of audio makes the process more realistic.Learners can listen to a conversation that is close to what they are likely to experience in real life. Also, the choices provided are realistic and make learners ponder before making a decision.
Since the simulation uses timers, learners have to make quick decisions, which also mimics real-life situations. They then get positive reinforcement through the point system, which motivates them to continue and improve.
Why It Works: The simulation is closely related to real-life scenarios salespersons face while dealing with clients. Plus, the use of gamification in this sales simulation creates a sense of competition and urgency to push learners to make quick decisions. It's further made more real-life-like with audio and timers.
Source: Hana Feels
Gavin Inglis has created a branching scenario called Hana Feels in which the learner has to figure out what is bothering Hana and how they can help her. The training is suitable for developing workplace soft skills like empathy and problem-solving in a workplace setting. Learners play the part of multiple characters, including Hana's boss, her friend, and a crisis line volunteer.
These branches depict the consequences of different choices. Every statement the learner chooses takes them down a distinct path. Then, they have to fill in the remaining conversation.
If you're creating eLearning modules for your in-house team, this is a fantastic sample for you. It blends critical thinking, storytelling, and problem-solving to improve soft skills. Plus, it can also be used in customer service or other client-facing training courses.
Why It Works: Learners get to play multiple roles, which broadens their perspective and helps them understand different viewpoints. The branching format adds a sense of realism, making learners feel like they are truly involved in the conversation.
Source: BBC
BBC has created Mi Vida Loca, a unique language learning experience that combines a TV series with interactive activities. The user plays the role of a character in the show and has to make decisions throughout the story.
The program consists of 22 episodes, each 10-15 minutes long. In every episode, learners travel to a new city in Spain and interact with the locals. They also have to complete activities related to the language and culture of that particular city.
This interactive series is perfect for beginners learning Spanish, as it immerses them in the language and culture while also providing opportunities for practice and reinforcement. There's also a ton of audio practice to further improve listening and speaking skills.
Why It Works: To take learners through a lengthy course like this, it's imperative that you make it interesting. BBC has perfected that. The plot, characters, and scenarios make it feel like a TV show rather than a language learning course, which keeps learners motivated to continue with the program.
Source: elucidat
A good example of a role-specific branching scenario is Elucidat's Shared Parental Leave learning experience. It's a good inspiration for situations in which you have to teach a policy or new procedure to learners in the workplace. The same course can teach different subsets or groups of learners.What makes this example so note-worthy is that it doesn't create too many learner groups. Instead, it divides learners into HR and non-HR segments.
There's a dynamic menu that the learners can use to navigate through the course. This way, they don't even know about alternate routes and only see the content relevant to their role.Since the scenario covers the real-life application of the policy, it prepares learners to handle real situations. The best part is that it also provides a preview of the policy to the learners so that they have a reference at hand.
Why It Works: Elucidat does a great job of keeping the branching scenario simple yet effective. Instead of creating too many branches, they have divided learners into two main groups while still allowing all learners to get a sense of the policy as a whole. The dynamic menu allows for easy navigation and provides context to each learner's specific role within the scenario.
Source: 360.articulate
Created by Ang CM, this is one of the best eLearning branching scenario examples for businesses that want to provide basic cybersecurity training to their employees. The learner is presented with a situation, and they have to respond to it according to their knowledge of cybersecurity policies and procedures.As they choose, learners are told if their choice is a good one. If it's not, the course explains why it was a poor decision and provides tips for making the right choice in the future.
It includes different scenarios in which cybersecurity risks can occur, such as opening suspicious links or using weak passwords. Learners are shown real-world-like examples, such as emails and messages, to further prepare them for potential cyber attacks.
Why It Works: Despite being a rather simple branching scenario, this course does the job because it teaches learners along the way. They don't have to wait till the end to see if they made wrong decisions.
Source: Smart Builder
Plum eLearning created a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy training for Athena Compliance that takes the branching scenario concept to the next level. The course is designed for healthcare professionals and simulates real-life patient interactions where they have to make decisions related to HIPAA privacy rules.
Learners get ''requests'' from patients, with each request being a different scenario that they must navigate through. They are then shown two possible responses. After they select a response, they are given feedback on their decision and whether it was compliant with HIPAA regulations.Throughout the course, there's an icon on the top right corner, which learners can click to check their notes on hospital policy. This way, they have a quick reference to the policy at hand without disrupting their learning flow.
Why It Works: Instead of creating different learning paths for each scenario, Plum eLearning created a system where all possible scenarios are presented to learners so that they can see the consequences of different decisions. If the learner is stuck, they can simply consult their notes rather than quitting the course.
The eLearning branching scenario examples we've shared above are just the inspiration. When creating similar courses or learning material for your workplace or learners, you have to tailor the content to their needs and roles.
For that, you need a course builder that can satisfy all your requirements. Coursebox is an excellent option in this regard, equipped with AI features to speed up the creation of interactive courses.
To start, the AI course designer helps you brainstorm ideas for adding branching scenarios to your course. You can also upload existing files and convert them into interactive courses with branching scenarios in minutes.The AI assessment feature allows you to give instant feedback to your learners based on the provided marking rubric. If learners have any queries, they can use the built-in AI tutor for real-time conversational assistance.
Once learners have finished the course, they will automatically get branded certificates to prove their completion.ConclusionBased on these eLearning branching scenario examples, we can comfortably say that this approach is quite effective compared to its linear counterparts. Besides making the course more engaging, it also provides personalised learning to each individual.
However, creating a multi-layered course can be a bit daunting. With Coursebox, you won't have to worry about the technicalities of course creation since its AI features are there to help. Even better, the Coursebox mobile apps allow your learners to access your courses on the go. Rest assured, the learning doesn't stop.