Chapter 31. Scenario-based learning

This chapter seeks to revive interest in the considerable potential of Scenario-based Learning (SBL). It challenges educators to go beyond the dominant ‘Acquisition’ metaphor of learning, which limits more creative ways of harnessing new digital technology. The discussion traces the early roots of SBL and reports several examples of innovative practice to highlight the opportunities for SBL in contemporary digital education. The objective is to lift our ambitions for digital education, specifically online learning, by illustrating the principles of low-tech emptiness wrapped in hi-tech pedagogy. Crucially, teachers’ beliefs play a key role in mediating the adoption of SBL—for better and worse. The final section reports several historical examples of SBL and online role-play to illustrate how the principles of low-tech emptiness can be transposed to today’s hi-tech classrooms. Overall, the chapter reminds us that an historical frame of reference is invaluable for critically understanding and harnessing the transformative potential of digital learning.