Hands On(line) Practice
Sometimes assessments can seem like students are regurgitating course information, with limited opportunities for applying reasoning that uses layers of course content. Have you considered using educational technology tools to build adaptive learning? This strategy can provide opportunities for storytelling with decision making in more complex situations, giving students hands-on practice in asynchronous settings. Role play activities can encourage critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills as course content is applied in real-world contexts.
One of UCATT’s supported technologies is H5P, which integrates fully into Brightspace, bringing every lesson to life without leaving the page. Today we are providing a suggested use for the Branching Scenarios tool, which is ideal for adaptive, self-paced lessons.
Why use interactive learning scenarios?
Interactive scenarios move beyond knowledge recall by asking students to apply what they know in context. They are especially effective for helping students develop skills such as:
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Communication
- Empathy and perspective-taking
- Professional judgment
Because learners receive feedback throughout the experience, they can see not only whether a decision was effective, but why it was effective and what might happen if they chose differently. Even less-than-ideal decisions become valuable learning opportunities rather than simple mistakes.
These activities work particularly well in disciplines where there is rarely one perfect answer. Instead, students learn to weigh options, consider consequences, and make informed decisions based on multiple layers of course content.
Designing an effective scenario
Although the technology has an initial learning curve, it often becomes a simple part of the design process, once you are used to using it. Designing a meaningful learning experience requires thoughtful planning. One of the biggest challenges instructors face is simply deciding where to begin.
1. Start with a real-world situation
Think about situations professionals encounter in your discipline. Ask yourself:
- What challenges might someone in this field regularly face?
- Where do people need to make informed decisions?
- What mistakes commonly occur?
- Which course concepts could students apply to solve the problem?
The best scenarios reflect authentic situations students are likely to encounter in internships, clinical settings, research, customer interactions, leadership roles, or future careers.
2. Create meaningful choices
Effective scenarios are rarely built around simple "yes" or "no" questions.
Instead, present several realistic options that vary in quality. For example:
- A strong response
- A reasonable but incomplete response
- A poor or ineffective response
Each option should represent a believable decision someone might actually make. This encourages students to think critically rather than simply guessing the correct answer.
3. Show realistic consequences
Every decision should lead somewhere.
Some choices may result in immediate feedback before students continue. Others may create new complications that require additional decisions. As students move through the scenario, they experience how one decision influences the next, reinforcing both content knowledge and professional reasoning.
Plan backward
A helpful design strategy is to work backwards.
Begin by defining the learning goal. Then identify the key decisions students must make to reach that goal.
As you design, consider:
- Where should students receive feedback?
- Which decisions should create additional challenges?
- How can different paths eventually guide learners toward the same learning outcome?
Finally, enrich the scenario with realistic details that make students feel immersed in the situation rather than simply answering quiz questions.
Sketch before you build
Interactive scenarios are easier to design visually than in a traditional document.
Many instructors find it helpful to sketch the decision paths before opening H5P. Digital whiteboards such as Miro or Lucidchart allow ideas to be rearranged easily as the scenario evolves. Even sticky notes on a wall can be an effective planning tool.
If you're looking for inspiration, search for terms such as "branching scenario examples" or "decision tree examples" to see how other educators organize decision pathways before developing their activities.
Instead, present several realistic options that vary in quality. For example:
- A strong response
- A reasonable but incomplete response
- A poor or ineffective response
Each option should represent a believable decision someone might actually make. This encourages students to think critically rather than simply guessing the correct answer.
For example, in the role play activity below, the scenario sets the stage. In this scenario, you are Ms. Chen, a high school social worker. It's mid-morning, and Marcus, a 17-year-old senior, has been referred to you after his grades dropped dramatically. Teachers report he seems disconnected and exhausted. Marcus enters your office wearing a hoodie pulled up despite the warm day. He slouches into the chair furthest from your desk, avoiding eye contact.
Marcus mumbles, 'I don't know why I'm here,' while slumping in the chair.
Example branching scenario showing how different learner choices lead to immediate feedback and different paths through a role-play activity.
Although designing and building a branching scenario in H5P is a complex project, UCATT has many resources available to help. Tutorials are available on the H5P Help Page.
Live consultations are also available for personalized support. For help setting up H5P, InTEch offers phone, email, and Zoom consultations on the Contact Us instructor page.
For help with designing the activity, including backwards design, the UCATT Instructional Design team offers Zoom consultations. Sign up on the Instructional Design Services page.
