Decision-Making Scenarios
Decision-Making Scenarios challenge students to take on the role of decision-makers, analyze a complex issue, and propose solutions. This strategy helps students apply knowledge to real-world or hypothetical situations, developing critical thinking and collaborative skills.
How It Works
- Introduce the Scenario: Present a detailed problem or situation that requires students to make a decision (e.g., policy-making, ethical dilemmas, or resource allocation).
- Group Work: Divide students into small groups to analyze the problem, discuss options, and decide on a solution.
- Present Solutions: Groups share their decisions with the class, explaining their reasoning and addressing potential challenges.
- Debrief: Facilitate a discussion about the variety of solutions, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and implications.
Example
In an environmental science course, students act as city council members deciding whether to approve a wind farm development. They weigh environmental impact, economic benefits, and community concerns before presenting their recommendations.
Why It’s Effective
- Encourages active engagement by immersing students in authentic, complex problems.
- Promotes teamwork and communication as students collaborate to propose solutions.
- Develops critical thinking and problem-solving by requiring students to consider multiple perspectives and potential consequences.
- Connects academic concepts to real-world applications, enhancing relevance and motivation.
Adaptations
- In-Person Classes:
- Use physical props or visuals (e.g., maps, charts) to make the scenario more engaging.
- Allow groups to present their solutions through role-play, such as simulating a town hall meeting.
- Online Synchronous:
- Assign scenarios in breakout rooms, where students collaborate on a shared document or presentation.
- Use polling or chat to gather group decisions and discuss outcomes in the main session.
- Online Asynchronous:
- Provide the scenario in a discussion forum or as an assignment. Have students respond individually and then engage in a peer review of others’ solutions.
- STEM Applications:
- Present engineering design challenges, like optimizing a bridge for cost and safety, or resolving conflicts in medical treatment protocols.
- Humanities Applications:
- Offer ethical dilemmas or historical decision points, asking students to propose and justify actions based on contextual evidence.
- Business Applications:
- Pose market strategy problems or investment dilemmas, requiring students to use data analysis and business principles to support their recommendations.
Decision-Making Scenarios bring abstract concepts to life, helping students develop practical skills, consider diverse perspectives, and engage deeply with course material.
Sources and Attribution
Primary Sources
This section is informed by and adapted from the following sources:
- University of Waterloo, Centre for Teaching Excellence. Active Learning Activities.
- Available at: Waterloo CTE
Use of AI in Section Development
This section was developed using a combination of existing research, expert-informed insights, and AI-assisted drafting. ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used to:
- Synthesize best practices for active learning strategies into a cohesive and accessible guide for instructors.
- Clarify approaches that promote student engagement, participation, and deeper learning.
- Enhance readability and coherence, ensuring that active learning techniques are both research-based and practically applicable in face-to-face and online classrooms.
While AI-assisted drafting provided a structured foundation, all final content was reviewed, revised, and contextualized to ensure accuracy, alignment with research, and pedagogical effectiveness. This section remains grounded in institutional best practices and respects Creative Commons licensing where applicable.
