The Smart Arena platform offers a powerful Authoring Tool designed to create engaging and dynamic learning experiences. Among its standout features are the interactive elements, which enable course creators to enhance user engagement and interactivity within their content. These elements allow for creative ways to present information, assess learning progress, and encourage participation.
The Branching interactive element in Smart Arena allows course creators to develop complex, scenario-based learning paths that can adapt to a user’s responses.
First, select a layout, drag and drop the Branches bracket, you can find under interactive elements into your canvas.
1. Add branches
In the Branches section, click on Add branch to create separate learning paths or options. Each branch represents a possible path a learner might take based on their choices or responses. Label each branch clearly to reflect the decision or path it represents.
2. Add basic elements
Drag and drop basic content elements into each branch section. These elements can include text, images, or questions.
Each branch represents a different path or a different option of an answer. For example:
Customer service Scenario
BRANCH 1
Customer: "Hi, I’m really frustrated with the product I received. It isn’t working as expected, and I’d like to know what Amazing Co will do to help me."
Prompt: How do you respond?
Link 1: "I'm sorry to hear that. Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps together to see if we can resolve the issue quickly."
Link 2: "If you're not satisfied, you can return it. But please check if the issue might be due to misuse on your end."
Link 3: "Let me escalate this issue to my supervisor immediately so they can handle it for you."
Link 1 is the correct answer in this scenario, so the scenario goes on. For it to continue, we create a new branch (branch 2) with new possible answers (links).
Links 2 and 3 are incorrect, so we can create a new branch (branch 4) that lets the learner know to try again. As a possible answer, we can lead them back to the beginning (choosing branch 1).
3. Set links to branches
In the Links (bound to chosen branch) section, you can set up conditions to guide users to specific branches based on their previous answers or interactions. This allows you to control the learner’s path dynamically, directing them to the next branch based on their choices.
4. Customizing links
Use the text boxes within the Links section to provide instructions or feedback based on a user’s choice. You can add multiple links by clicking Add link and selecting the relevant branch for each link. This allows the course to diverge into various scenarios or paths.
5. Save the branching structure
Once the branches and links are set up, save the structure to include it in the course.
Branching is a powerful tool for creating adaptive learning experiences that mimic real-world decision-making processes. It allows learners to explore scenarios where their choices have consequences, reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By guiding learners through different paths based on their responses, branching provides a customized learning experience that can enhance engagement and retention.
Example
This is how the branches interactive add-on looks for the learner.
