Sorry I missed Re ServeD’s question about getting SMEs to use this approach for technical training. One approach could be to ask them how they learned to do what they do. Most likely, they learned by doing. They didn’t sit and read the entire manual, never touching the computer.

Another approach is to remind them that their expertise goes beyond just the content–they also know (ideally!) what mistakes people make on the job. A great way to teach people to avoid mistakes is to let them make those mistakes in a safe place (the course), *see the results,* and then do it again the right way. SMEs can probably tell you about memorable mistakes they made and will never make again, and a scenario is really just a safe place to make mistakes or at least be tempted by them.

An easy approach to scenarios for application training is to have the SME identify the 3-5 most common tasks that the software is used for and replicate those as scenarios, such as “Josh needs to adjust the quantity for an order that’s already in the queue for shipping.” + the learner has to click on a simulated screen (or a sandbox version of the app) to help Josh out.

First, it was entertaining and incredibly informative. I am a classroom teacher and always appreciate new takes on teaching/learning. Second, thank you for modeling the behavior that you’re preaching. So many presenters and conference leaders have a “Do what I say and not what I do” approach.

I’m a current student at Walden Univ., and I’m learning about Instructional Design. I’ve always considered myself a constructivist type, and I really appreciate how you have given the audience the information and allowed us to see and compare the approaches and come to the conclusion that scenarios work better than lists of facts with quizzes. I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed and cannot wait to read and watch more of this blog!

Thanks for the post! I agree completely. How do you encourage SMEs to use this approach for technical or application-based training?

Great presentation! I see that creating effective scenario based elearning requires lot of SME assistance. Otherwise the learning will not be effective.

The ID must not be asked to come up with scenarios on his/her own. I am not sure if it works. In low budget courses, when you have no SME and you have to use scenarios, it gets really challenging.