Create a Scenario-Based Task

Creating a scenario based task for your students will enhance their experience in your course.  We would like to work with you on your development team and help you create meaningful curriculum.  A stipend is available to you from our NSF funding, if the fit is right.  You can assess that possibility for yourself by answering a few questions.

If you would like to get started, please contact our Co-Director Catherine Ayers

The benchmarks for the development process include defining a real world scenario and its: (1) learning outcomes, (2) deliverables, (3) industry relevance, (4) assessment approaches, and (5) support materials for students and instructors. Generally, it is best to start by finding a person from your field that is working in industry. This person can greatly enhance the authenticity of the scenario and will ensure that students are learning skills that are needed in the real world. You can use the industry representative to brainstorm as you are first creating the scenario, review student materials as you develop them, critique the students' work, and refer you to others from industry that might be helpful to you and your students. In some areas, the Experiential Learning Center can help you connect with industry volunteers.

Next you will create a task overview . This is a useful format for outlining the learning objectives, student deliverables, and major topics covered in your scenario. Don't worry! We have done this many times and will be here to help along the way.

Lastly, you will write the memos to your student employees describing what they have to accomplish. These will be realistic company emails in the industry jargon, addressed to employees and sent from their boss. Each scenario-based task will have an overview, requirements, resources and debrief. The number of deliverables and method of student submissions is up to you.

You may want to peruse readings on the pedagogy behind scenario-based tasks. We also have an online tutorial that leads you through the process of developing scenario-based curriculum.