Goal-Based Scenarios by Megan Smith

Megan Smith

June 12, 2016

Goal Based Scenarios Blog Post

Educational Theory in Technology

Goal Based Scenarios By: Megan Smith

 

Description

Goal based scenarios is a learning style that was thought up by Roger Schank after many years of studies.  It essentially combines learning by doing with case based learning. According to Schank, “[t]he intent of goal based learning is to provide motivation, a sense of accomplishment, a support system and a focus on skills rather than facts.” In a way, I kind of follows natural learning. Within this learning theory there are seven different elements that help guide it along the way to accomplishment.

7 Elements of based learning

1.       Learning goals- What is the student working towards?

2.       Mission- motivation

3.       Cover Story- motivational story/ experience

4.       Role- Part that the student will play.

5.       Scenario operations- what activities will the student to do reach the goal?

6.       Resources- organized and accessable information

7.       Feedback – instructor must provide it right away so as to allow student to continue to work towards their goal.

Connections to Other learning theories

After reading about and carefully reviewing Goal based scenarios it is easy to see how it is related to the constructivist theory by Jean Piaget. In his theory Piaget points outs that people learn best by making connections with real life situations that have happened to them.  That pairs perfectly with Schank saying goal based scenarios is part leaning by doing.

Criticism 

Some believe that Schank has some outlandish outlooks in regards to education.  He stated that students aren’t taught to get self-satisfaction but rather they are taught to get extrinsic rewards.  He believes that the assessment based society that we live in has led children to believe the main goal of learning is to simply please the teacher and to get a good test grade. It isn’t hard to believe that him saying that would ruffle a couple of feathers with educators who believe the complete opposite.

Conclusion

I feel like this theory can be very useful in the classroom and in the education system as a whole.  Shank puts a huge emphasis on students mastering a skill than passing a test. With the rise of Common Core I feel like that emphasis on mastering skills is extremely important and can come in a great deal of use.  This theory seems to put more power into the hand of the student as well as providing them a huge sense of accomplishment through immediate feedback.

For more information visit the following websites:

·         Blog: Learning Theories ETC547 Spring 2011 https://sites.google.com/a/nau.edu/learning-theories-etc547-spring-2011/theory/goal-based-scenarios

·         Taylor & Francis online journal: The Design of Goal Based Scenarios http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327809jls0304_2

 

Resources

"Learrning Design: Goal Based Scenarios." N.p., n.d. Web. June 2016.

Schellar, David T. "Developing Goal-based Scenarios in Education." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2016.