developing narratives for branching simulations by: simon puleo dramatic tension macro structures

Developing Narratives for Branching Simulations

By: Simon Puleo

Dramatic Tension

Macro Structures

Branching Sims – Short History

FlashDirector

AuthorwareHypercard

HTML/Javascript

1990-2004

SimWriterCaptivate

ForioSmart Builder

2004-2007

Developer Authoring

Designer Authoring

Oregon TrailZork

1985

BantamChoose your

own adventure

1978

Branching Sims – Analysis

Guillaume Dufay

Thinking about Thinking

Episodic– Experience– Structure

Propositional– Knowledge– Data

Emotional

Environmental

Social

Other Factors

3 Year Old Child’s Birthday Party Decision

3 Year Old Child’s Birthday Party Decision

When should we leave?

Take it as it goes.

Before Cake

Immediately After Cake

10 Minutes After Cake

Posted partyend time

Simulation Planning

• Learning Design• Simulation Design• Scenario Design

http://x-learning.blogspot.com/

Eliciting the NarrativeHow to capture your narrative:• Surveys• Subject Matter Expert Interviews• Shadowing an Expert• Performing in the role

What you are looking for:• Process.• What happens when all is well• What happens when there is a problem• How are common situations handled• How are complex situations handled• Misconceptions from the users view• Misconceptions from the program owners view• The Wow Story!

Exposition

Basic Narrative Structure

Exposition Complication ConclusionResolution

Coaching and Support

Dramatic Introduction

Problem

Stated

InvestigateResolve

RestateRemediation

Dramatic Tension Over time

Incitingincident

Risingaction

Crisis

Climax

FallingAction

Common Business Storylines

TeamworkWork Together to Solve ProblemProject ManagementApply Business Process

Conflict ResolutionNegotiation SkillsCustomer RelationsProject ManagementSales SkillsSupport StaffCustomer Complaints

Selling SkillsConsultative SellingSales ProcessPersuading Others

ProceduralApplying Compliance or RegulationsProject ManagementApply Business Process

Analytical SkillsInvestigating caseInterviewing skillsBuilding a case

Macro Structures• Contingent Chapters

• Contingent Chapters with Critical Exit

• Multiple Endings

Exit

Removable Scaffolding

Find the Facts

Remediation

Document Situation

Resolve Situation

Remediation

Educate Client

Remediation

Summary

Remediation

Scenario 1

Find the Facts

Document Situation

Resolve Situation

Remediation

Educate Client

Summary

Remediation

Scenario 2

Find the Facts

Document Situation

Resolve Situation

Educate Client

Summary

Remediation

Scenario 3

Micro Structures

• Basic Feedback Loop

Q1 Correct

Feedback

Incorrect

Situation 1 Situation 2

or go to Q1

Provide Feedback in Situation 2 Or independent of situation 2

Easy to authorEasy for a learner to get through

Feedback can break continuity of storyThe story can feel overly like an assessment

Micro Structures

• Basic Feedback Loop (Double Assessment)

Q1A Correct

Feedback

Incorrect

Situation 1 Q1B

This could also be to an exit pathOr tracked and go on

Correct

Incorrect

Situation 2

More challenging to authorThe double assessment challenges the learnerUse in conjunction with single feedback loops so it is not overly obviousWorks well with an exit pathCan become complicated with over 3 distracters

Micro Structures

• Narrowing Distracters

Feedback

Situation 1

Correct

Incorrect

MediumQ1

Situation 2

Situation 1a

Correct

Incorrect

Q1a

More challenging to authorThe learner time in the simulation variesThe format does not feel overly obviousBecause the answers are reiterated if you choose the medium choice for Situation 1a the learner has a natural recall of S1 and Q1

The Shoe That Fits

Hidy Hank

Leaders

The Argument

Here comes the Holodeck!

Sgt. John Blackwell

FlatWorld, a project of the Institute for Creative Technologies.

What you can do with big resources.

SummaryLinks and Resources• More on Sgt. Blackwell

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20051106-9999-lz1a06ictech.html• Authoring branching storylines for training applications. Andrew S. Gordon

http://people.ict.usc.edu/~gordon/ICLS04.PDF• Presentation by Mark Riedel http://projects.ict.usc.edu/bc2006/schedule.html• Nexlearn http://www.nexlearn.com• Ninth House http://www.ninthhouse.com• Jeremy Wolfe - MIT• http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Brain-and-Cognitive-Sciences/9-00Fall-2004/

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ContactSimon PuleoSimon_Puleo@yahoo.com212 568 3926

Blog at: http://x-learning.blogspot.com/