Scenario Based Learning: The Zombie Apocalypse
Presenter: Holly Chandler
Co-Presenter:Katie Svoboda
Organization:Front Range Community College
Role:Psychology Faculty
Track:Discussion
Topic:Gaming in Education
Level:For Mere Mortals
Abstract:Do you feel like you work harder than your students? Scenario based learning is a way to create the need for students to seek information themselves. In The Zombie Apocalypse, Psychology students, known as The Brain Trust, work together as experts in brain physiology. Students were guided through The Alert, The Mission, and The Assignment and concluded with demonstrating their knowledge. Attendees will participate in a discussion of their ideas for scenario based learning.
Bio:Holly is on the psychology faculty at Front Range Community College. While at FRCC, Holly has conducted illuminating research into a data-visualization system of online asynchronous discussions that has increased both the quantity and quality of discussion posts in online classes. Holly is passionate about her role as an educator, leader and researcher. She has designed a variety of thought provoking and engaging lessons to inform the more difficult content areas of psychology 101, including the Zombie Apocalypse.
Description:As the instructor, I served as a consultant for the project, not the teacher. My intention of creating this scenario was to tinker with an alternative way to teach brain physiology that might be more effective than the traditional lecture. The brain physiology is a content area that students typically have a difficult time mastering. By making this content area into a scenario based learning activity, my desire was that students would be embedded in a situational learning activity, work towards seeking out the answers to the content related scenarios, and ‘walk’ away (no zombie-pun intended) with functional knowledge of the brain.
Students presented their recommendations to the class as teams (sample student work can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5g8MmSYUXgJcFNuNlBNdWZXcmM/edit?usp=sharing ). On the unit exam that assessed knowledge acquisition, the class averaged 79.5% compared with 72.35% in my psychology 101 class the previous semester who did not receive this scenario based learning activity.
Presenter Presentation Materials URL (Web Address): Website for situational learning activity: https://sites.google.com/site/teachzombie/home