SCENARIO-BASED LEARNINGInteractivity, Collaboration, and Problem-Solving

OBJECTIVES• Explain the concepts of Computational Thinking and Scenario Based

Learning as powerful tools for supporting authentic student learning• Compare and contrast case studies and problem-based learning activities

with the scenario-based learning model• Use rubrics and models that can help instructors create more engaging

collaborative learning experiences• Demonstrate how teachers and outside agencies can work together to

bolster important critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students• Share the research produced from the “ASSECT” NSF grant, including a

Google Sites template and Computational Thinking rubric

WHAT THE HECK DOES SCENARIO-BASED LEARNING

MEAN?• Originally developed from an NSF grant project (ASSECT: Advancing the

Successful IT Student Through Enhanced Computational Thinking)• Colleague partners included: Chuck Winer, Jennifer Cruse, Gina Rue

• Partnership of universities in five regions around the country• Marriage of Jeanette Wing’s Computational Thinking (CT) with a

framework for building instructional elements• Focus on Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) combined with CT to help

teachers (K-12 and college) deliver engaging lessons that help students develop important critical thinking skills within authentic career-oriented situations

WAIT… COMPUTATIONAL THINKING?

• It’s not quite what it sounds like, and it’s definitely not just for STEM areas – applies to any field of study

• Computational thinking is a problem-solving process• Helps students deal with complexity and real-world situations• A method of using available tools, including technology, in logical ways to

solve problems and answer questions• Explanatory video from the International Society of Technology in

Education (ISTE): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFcUgSYyRPg&feature=youtu.be

• Jeanette Wing’s description: http://youtu.be/C2Pq4N-iE4I

CHARACTERISTICS OF SBL LESSONS

• Exact problem details may not be provided; instead, students define at least part of the problem

• There is not necessarily a “right” answer• Solutions to get to an answer that works may be very different from

student to student• Often done in teams, but can be individual• Teacher serves as a facilitator and co-learner• Project involves real-world outside experts and situations

EXAMPLE, READY-TO-USE SCENARIOS

• Our list research-based scenarios can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/workshopctandsblresourcesite/sharing-our-research-experience

• Experiential Learning Center: http://learnpbl.com• Computer Science Teachers Association:

http://csta.acm.org/Resources/sub/ResourceFiles/CompThinking.pdf• Examples from Ross Smith, a teacher trained in our workshops:

• http://whoreallydiscoveredamerica.weebly.com • https://sites.google.com/a/hammondacademy.org/middle-ages-project/ • https://sites.google.com/a/hammondacademy.org/standard-of-living2/

THE CT RUBRIC• Helps to assess computational thinking skills, including logical thinking,

strategizing, abstract thinking, procedural thinking, and optimizing• Excellent for all types of activities where you would like to assess critical

thinking, but can’t quite come up with a reasonable rubric• This rubric can be used as developmental, or summative – apply point

values as appropriate • All areas do not have to be assessed every time – modify as needed• https://sites.google.com/site/workshopctandsblresourcesite/computationa

l-thinking-rubric

THE RUBRIC (SHORT VERSION)

A SCENARIO-BUILDING TEMPLATE

• Workshop link with context and other information: https://sites.google.com/site/workshopctandsblresourcesite

• Google Sites Scenario-building template: https://sites.google.com/site/assectworkshop/home

• Certainly, this is not the only way to create a scenario, but the template is easy to fill in

• Create your site and look for “SBL” in the template gallery: http://sites.google.com

• Our PNC accounts are already Google accounts, so you can log in with your PNC email or use a personal Gmail account

LET’S EXAMINE SOME SCENARIOS

• What are you doing in your class – or wish to do – that is real-world or practice-based (i.e., case studies, team projects, etc)?

• What is missing that you might wish to add or change about this activity?• Does bringing in outside experts (even other faculty members) make

sense for this course?• What are your concerns about assessing student learning or

performance?

SUPPLEMENTAL TOOLS• Create your scenario instructional materials:

• Google Sites• SoftChalk (30 day trial available)• PowerPoint, MS Office documents• Weebly • Blendspace • Camtasia or Video Express (for video introductions, lectures, supplements)

• For students to present and work together:• PowerPoint/MS Office• Social Media• Jing or Screencast-o-Matic (for students to create videos for free)• Google Drive/Docs, Trello, Evernote, NowComment for collaboration

THANKS!

Reach us: • TECH 206 and 298• 219-785-5734• pncolt@pnc.edu • Twitter and Facebook: @PNCOLT• http://www.pnc.edu/distance for all workshop notes, links, and training needs