How You Can Create An eLearning Simulation
It’s been proven that people learn best from real-life experiences. However, your actions have consequences, and a challenging situation in real life can go either way. In real life, if you make a mistake, you have to pay for its consequences, which is where simulations come in. Simulations are nothing new and have been a learning method for a long time. Simulations are considered a great way to learn because nothing is real in a simulation, although everything is made to seem like it is. Because nothing is real in a simulation, you can do anything, and even if you make a mistake, it has no real-life consequences. A simulation is a great learning tool exactly because learners can attempt to tackle real-life situations without the fear of failure. But what is an eLearning simulation?
Simple. An eLearning simulation is an eLearning course which uses different, simulated scenarios in a controlled environment to prepare learners for real-life situations. eLearning simulations can help an organization determine whether its employees are ready to tackle actual real-life responsibilities as well as the real challenges faced in a working environment, without the repercussions. Let us now discuss how to create such an eLearning simulation and train your employees for real, challenging tasks.
The Elements Of An eLearning Simulation
In order to build anything, you must understand what is required to build it, i.e. what its elements or ingredients are, and why they are important. So let’s have a look at the elements needed to build an amazing eLearning simulation.
1. Real-Life Problems Or Scenarios
Of course, the whole point of a simulation is that the problems or scenarios found in it should pertain to challenges that an employee or learner will actually face in his/her job. The real-life scenario should sharpen a particular skill which required to make an informed decision in a challenging event. Later on, when actual tasks are given to the employee, they’ll have no problem tackling them as they have already done the same in a simulated environment.
2. Immersive Graphics And Sound
A simulation would be nothing but a set of questions if it is not accompanied by immersive graphics and sound. The graphics and sound should be such that they can actually put a learner/employee in the middle of the situation. It should invoke in them the same emotions a real-life challenge would, where they will need to think on their feet. Using videos and animated storylines, along with sound and music that suits the mood of the scenario are the way to go.
3. Relatable Characters
eLearning simulations usually have lots of characters in each scenario, just like a story, or real life for that matter. When crafting these characters, it should be kept in mind that they be relatable. For example, if the learner has to play out a scenario as a character, or deal with other characters he/she should be able to relate with them. This can be done by placing the character in the same work environment as the learner/employee, giving the same designation as the learner/employee or deal with characters that the learner/employee usually has to deal with (like dissatisfied customers).
4. Real-Life Tools And Behaviors
You need to create a world quite similar to the real world for your eLearning simulation to succeed. The eLearning program should involve the same tools, tech and software employees/learners use in real life. When simulating a process, every little detail should be accounted for, lest the employee skips that little detail in real life just because it wasn’t there in the simulation. For example, when simulating hardware repair, use tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and wires in your simulation. When simulating a meeting, have employees use the appropriate greeting when dealing with seniors and juniors.
5. Assessments And Evaluations
The importance of assessments and evaluations in any eLearning course cannot be overstated. For starters, they help the learners track their progress themselves, and evaluate where they stand. Secondly, they provide the organization with measurable data to track the learner’s performance. Quick assessments and mini-quizzes should be strategically placed in a simulation at regular intervals to use them most efficiently.
Simulations are a powerful type of eLearning which aren’t used as much as they should be. Granted, they require a little work, but the returns they provide are worth it.
