
Integrate Scenario-Based Learning into Teacher Preparation
Author: Ling Zhang; Samantha Goldman
What is scenario-based learning?
Scenario-based learning (SBL) is a widely used instructional design strategy that uses real-life scenarios or cases to support active, immersive, and authentic learning experiences for learners. It provides students opportunities to solve a problem in a simulated “real-life” scenario where students can apply their knowledge, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
Using Scenario-Based Learning in Teacher Preparation
A group of researchers recently implemented an intervention that engaged pre-service teachers in SBL by having them reflect on their instructional responses to different text and video classroom scenarios followed by immediate feedback from experienced teachers. Findings of this study showed increased engagement, self-efficacy, as well as motivational and cognitive classroom readiness among participating teacher candidates.
A breakdown of the study: Rating, Reflection, and Feedback
Pre-service teachers in the study participated in a 45-min online SBL activity where they were presented with six realistic classroom scenarios. They were asked to rate the appropriateness (“Inappropriate,” “Somewhat Inappropriate,” “Somewhat Appropriate,” and “Appropriate”) of three responses to the scenarios (e.g., how a beginning teacher serves students who do speak English). After rating each scenario, they were asked to reflect on the reasons for their ratings. They then received a distance score showing how their responses compared to experienced teachers’ responses who had also rated the scenario. This served as a way to provide timely feedback generated by experienced teachers. These simple strategies require no to minimal investment in high technology or complex tools.