Using Virtual Scenarios to Create Effective Learning

Develop the knowledge to create your own effective virtual scenarios

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.

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.

This course is for teachers and trainers in any discipline who wish to create their own virtual scenarios, or learn about this approach. The course will also be of value to those studying or interested in working in education disciplines or instructional design.

This course is part of a partnership between City St George’s, University of London and FutureLearn that is coming to an end. As a result, this course will retire on 24 August 2026.

Please note that the course content, data and materials are no longer being actively updated and may not reflect the most recent developments in this subject area.

We encourage you to enrol on course before the retirement date if you wish to take part.

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.

This course is for teachers and trainers in any discipline who wish to create their own virtual scenarios, or learn about this approach. The course will also be of value to those studying or interested in working in education disciplines or instructional design.

This course is part of a partnership between City St George’s, University of London and FutureLearn that is coming to an end. As a result, this course will retire on 24 August 2026.

Please note that the course content, data and materials are no longer being actively updated and may not reflect the most recent developments in this subject area.

We encourage you to enrol on course before the retirement date if you wish to take part.

• 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