Professional training prepares learners to enter the workforce. To achieve this, theory alone is no longer sufficient. Employers demand employees who are operational right away. Therefore, it is the responsibility of training organizations to provide the necessary training mechanisms for the development of real skills.
In this regard, real-life scenarios during training prove to be effective and essential. They allow learners to acquire practical skills and provide a better understanding of their field.
However, that’s not all; this article offers an overview of the effectiveness and integration of practical scenarios in training.
Understanding real-life scenarios
A real-life scenario is a crucial step in the training journey. It is the practical part that enables the learner to acquire an immediately applicable professional qualification. This is the case for pedagogical interns in healthcare facilities, on construction sites, in the military, etc. Moreover, it is also possible to create real-life scenarios for office employees for the development of their skills.
Today, real-life scenarios are indispensable for earning professional certifications. The world of work is becoming increasingly demanding, and the training sector is as well. These concrete applications can take place in-person or online, depending on the professional experience required.
Designing e-learning training with real-life scenarios
Before designing a training course, it is essential to start by defining its objectives. It must provide the necessary knowledge and skills for the targeted professional environment.
Next, it is necessary to identify the real situations that learners will face in their future careers. After that, scenarios can be created for practice: tasks, problems to solve, or projects.
In terms of format, the training must also be tailored to the learners’ needs. Based on this information, suitable teaching materials can be identified. Various means exist to prepare learners for the professional world:
Interactive and adaptive videos for the professional environment
Interactive videos are increasingly used in online learning. These educational resources allow beneficiaries to participate actively in their professional training. Learners can control the pace of the video and go back if needed. This method also allows for the construction of a more comprehensive training experience. It is possible to add quizzes and surveys throughout the video.
Virtual simulations for effective training
Virtual simulations are another method for implementing real-life scenarios in e-learning. They allow beneficiaries to practice skills and tasks related to active life in a virtual environment. They help learners prepare for real-life situations and become familiar with complex scenarios. They are especially effective for learning tasks performed in environments that are difficult to reproduce, such as defense and healthcare.
Serious games for professional skills
Serious games are designed to teach a specific skill or solve a technical problem. These educational games present real scenarios to put professional skills into practice. This playful learning method is the most effective. Games typically last less than 5 minutes and have the advantage of stimulating learners’ reflexes while also enhancing their motivation.
Board meetings to develop professional skills
The board meeting involves simulating a professional meeting, which could be an administrative meeting, a team meeting, or a crisis meeting, etc. This method allows beneficiaries to develop their decision-making, communication, and negotiation skills. Learners can learn to manage different situations during the simulation.
The benefits of real-life scenarios
Real-life scenarios constitute an innovation in professional training. They are mechanisms that prepare learners concretely. Real-life scenarios present several advantages for learners:
Encouraging active learning
Instead of passively receiving information, learners actively participate in their own learning. They solve concrete problems, make decisions, and apply their knowledge in practical contexts. This approach fosters a deeper and more lasting understanding of concepts.
Total immersion in a professional environment
Simulated work experiences allow learners to immerse themselves directly in a professional environment. This exposes them to the challenges, responsibilities, and interactions they will encounter in their field. This total immersion offers a realistic experience that prepares learners to effectively face real-world situations.
Enhancing retention and facilitating application
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, trainees can better recall key concepts and apply them more easily when needed in their daily work. This approach contributes to the transfer of skills acquired in training to the professional environment.
Fostering creativity
Professional simulations in a training offer encourage learners’ creativity. They find original solutions to emerging problems, experiment with different approaches, and develop their critical thinking. By stimulating their creativity, these real-life scenarios enhance their ability to adapt to various challenges related to their work.
Developing professional relationships
Real-life scenarios in a learning environment also provide an opportunity for teamwork. Learners apply acquired skills and collaboratively solve problems encountered through practical cases. They learn together and in collaboration, gaining a better understanding of their work and developing their joint problem-solving abilities.
Moreover, mistakes made in an e-learning training environment have no severe consequences. This encourages learners to take risks and learn from their experiences.
When to use real-life scenarios?
We have seen that real-life scenarios are an advantageous pedagogical method for online learners. However, they are particularly suited for the following situations:
- In the context of professional training: onboarding new employees, professional development training, or specialization requiring the acquisition of practical skills.
- In areas where safety is paramount, such as healthcare, industry, or emergency services. Learners can learn to react correctly in emergencies or dangerous situations without risking their safety.
- For developing behavioral skills such as stress management, communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
- For service-oriented companies. Learners can learn to effectively handle customer requests, manage difficult situations, and enhance their empathy and understanding of customer needs.
- In complex or rare situations that rarely occur in practice. This may apply to fields like medicine, aviation, or engineering, among others.
- For training future leaders and managers. It allows trainees to make management decisions, manage teams, and solve real problems.
In all these cases, real-life scenarios provide practical, realistic, and engaging learning. They enable learners to draw lessons from their actions to reinforce their knowledge and skills.
