Using Virtual Scenarios to Create Effective Learning (FutureLearn)

Using Virtual Scenarios to Create Effective Learning (FutureLearn)

Learn how to use virtual scenarios to help people practice their decision making and prepare for real world challenges. Virtual scenarios are online educational resources which help learners explore real world decisions, making both good judgements and errors in a safe environment. They are used to prepare professionals to deal with a range of workplace challenges.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

On this course you will explore this technology, learning how to use virtual scenarios in your own teaching or training. You will learn from educators who are part of the WAVES network, and from experts across academia and business who provide training that spans disciplines such as medicine and health, legal and engineering.

What topics will you cover?

  • Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) and how it works
  • The science of decision-making and cognition
  • The importance of storytelling in learning
  • Technologies available to support Virtual Scenarios
  • Planning and developing a Virtual Scenario

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Reflect upon the benefits to learners of Scenario-Based Learning and interactive Virtual Scenarios
  • Describe the importance of storytelling and decision-making in developing engaging learning experiences
  • Compare the features of available Virtual Scenario authoring software tools and their suitability
  • Design and plan your own Virtual Scenarios
  • Discuss examples of Scenario-Based Learning activities and their effectiveness

What software or tools do you need?
No specific software is needed to participate in the course, but the Virtual Scenario authoring software (OpenLabyrinth and Casus) demonstrated within the course are examples of technology available to author your own Virtual Scenario and are suitable for delivering remote distance training or learning at scale. The examples showcase an open source and commercial product available for authoring Virtual Scenarios. During the course other suggested simple tools will be given for you to explore and download if you wish during week 3 of the course.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Fashion Values: Cultures (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
London College of Fashion

Fashion Values: Cultures (FutureLearn)

Use storytelling to contribute to equitable, inclusive and diverse cultures in and through fashion. Reimagine fashion as a powerful medium to explore and amplify cultures. On this four-week course from London College of Fashion, you’ll learn how to find and tell stories of the ingenuity and creativity of fashion in its many cultural forms.

Dec 5th 2022
4 Weeks
Using Film to Teach Literacy Online and in the Classroom (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The British Film Institute - BFI,INTO FILM

Using Film to Teach Literacy Online and in the Classroom (FutureLearn)

Explore the inspiring ways in which film can be used to deliver literacy learning for school students. Discover how to improve literacy using film. On this online course, you’ll identify how you can use film as a key tool to deliver literacy lessons, whether online or in the classroom, with your pupils.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Improving Your Study Techniques (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Groningen

Improving Your Study Techniques (FutureLearn)

Improve your study skills and get better results by learning to use the 'three-step study model'. Develop effective study skills for life. Learning is a fundamental part of life; many of us continue studying even when we leave formal education. This means good study skills are vital for all of us. Many, however, lack these skills and struggle to study effectively.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines (FutureLearn)

Thinking of doing an interdisciplinary degree? Learn how to study and work in an interdisciplinary environment. Harness the benefits of interdisciplinary study and work. Real life problems are too complex to be solved by a single field of study. That’s why learning to work across different disciplines is a vital skill in our modern society.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Supporting Successful Learning in Primary School (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

Supporting Successful Learning in Primary School (FutureLearn)

Build your understanding of learning and teaching to gain confidence in supporting children in school as a teaching assistant. Improve the support you provide for children's learning in primary school. Giving children in primary school the right support is vital. On this course you’ll hear from education experts, school staff and school children who provide insight into how children learn, the learning environment, and communicating in school.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Volunteering with Refugees (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Cambridge Assessment English,The Human Hive

Volunteering with Refugees (FutureLearn)

Understand how to best support the emotional, linguistic, and social needs of refugees who are settling into a new country. Learn how to identify and respond to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. When volunteering with refugees, it’s important to understand their backgrounds, current situations and needs in order to provide the best support.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Ethical Management and Decision Making (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Law,University of Law Business School

Ethical Management and Decision Making (FutureLearn)

Get to grips with how to manage ethically with this MOOC developed by the University of Law Business School. Learn how to manage within an ethical manner. In today’s working world, the terms ‘corporate responsibility’ and ‘sustainability’ are more important than ever. Corporations and organisations are increasingly about doing what is best for the community, the society and the environment. This three-week course from the University of Law Business School will teach you how to manage people within an effective manner, and also explore how not to manage people within a business.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Learning Online: Learning and Collaborating (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Learning Online: Learning and Collaborating (FutureLearn)

Become an effective online learner and develop your online communication skills when working with others. You are probably used to learning online on a daily basis, including turning to your phone for information rather than referring to books. More formal online learning is likely to be important for you in the future, either at university or in the workplace.

Jun 29th 2026
2 Weeks
Transforming Education in Challenging Environments (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University College London,Centre for Lebanese Studies

Transforming Education in Challenging Environments (FutureLearn)

Discover practical ways teachers can transform the education of children and young people living in conflict-affected contexts. Build the knowledge needed to teach children affected by difficult contexts. Teachers play an important role in supporting vulnerable children affected by mass displacement, crisis, and conflict. Refugee children may also be victims of violence and other issues that impact their emotional wellbeing and ability to learn. Teachers need to be prepared to deal with these difficulties.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Supporting Successful Learning in Secondary School (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

Supporting Successful Learning in Secondary School (FutureLearn)

Develop your understanding of learning and teaching and build your confidence in supporting students in secondary school. Improve the support you provide to students' learning in secondary school. Engaging young people in the classroom can be a challenge for teachers and teaching assistants. Secondary school students often learn differently to younger students. This can require a different teaching approach.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Innovative Teaching: Engaging Adult Learners with Active Learning (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Padova

Innovative Teaching: Engaging Adult Learners with Active Learning (FutureLearn)

Discover the power of active participation in adult learning, encouraging teamwork and collaboration among students. Explore the power of teaching and how interactive learning can aid the classroom. Active learning is the leading innovative teaching approach in education today. It encourages teachers to foster a more student-centred, interactive and participatory approach to learning.

Self Paced
4 Weeks