This simulation example was for a large group workshop of 80 IT Solutions Consultants. They attended a training session on eight different consulting skills, and needed a way to practice the skills together in a realistic way. The sample simulation for Skill Practice is in the LearningSim portfolio.
| Situation |
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Need |
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Solution |
| “We’re teaching a package of eight related consulting skills, and we have skill-specific practice covered for each.” |
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“But people don’t use just one skill at a time in real life! How do we put it all together and make it stick?” |
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“Do skill practice with simulations at the end of the workshop!” |
What would it take?
- Deliverables – Create 4 simulation scenarios, each one page or less, all focused on a similar set of skills for ILT classroom delivery. Interview subject matter experts (SMEs) for the scenario and skill context. Include facilitator notes for each scenario and for the full activity.
- Time – Performance need and context research: 9 hours. Writing: 8 hours. Reviews, edits, and finishing: 8 hrs. (Total: 25 hours)
- Cost – About 6 hours of consulting/development time per case.
Challenges, Tips & Results
| Challenges |
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Tips |
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Results |
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- Learners needed to apply several different skills to the challenge, but they learned the skills separately
- Not everyone would get to practice individually because of the group training environment
- Limited time to cover a lot of material
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- Include only the details needed to support practice
- Choose scenarios that are very common in the work environment
- Use facilitators to help the participants “fill in the gaps” and give good facilitator instructions
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- Strong participant engagement and skill development
- Dealing with their own real-life issues increased on the job flexibility
- Strong participant and sponsor reactions; the program was repeated
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