Which is the most "boldly" aspect of learning in virtual scenarios?


Ignacio Aliende: It is catching the key situations for our clients what provides value to the scenarios. It is not about graphic design, but to be able to depict the "moments of truth" in order to learn from the virtual experience. This value sometimes comes from recreating decisive situations together with the client and others comes from, for example, accomplishing a critical procedure (this is the point in a new virtual scenario we have developed for the health industry).

Please share your experiences regarding impact and results.


Ignacio Aliende: Learning impact is achieved when the user changes their behaviour about something that is critical for their company/organization. That is the case for a call-center assistant who has improved their performance by playing a simulation in which the student had to deal with difficult calls from customers, or for a doctor who has learnt to use a electrocardiograph by using a videogame.


From your point of view, what is the biggest advantage for the learning process?


Ignacio Aliende: Practicing in a non-risk scenario provides the user with an outstanding and real feedback. This way you perceive by yourself that it is important to change your attitudes or actions, instead of having a teacher to tell you so. It is the facts what send you a vivid feedback.


Why are the benefits of virtual scenarios still hardly ever used in learning processes? What are the main counter-arguments?


Ignacio Aliende: Cultural boundaries can still be an impediment in some organizations, where simulations or videogames can still be seen as a trivial distraction. I think that the Internet era will overcome this problem soon. The Corporate world is frequently slow and prudish at training plans innovation. However the community working in the field of Human Resources Development must also be smooth enough to adjust our proposals to the real current needs of the clients, students or partners. We must learn from recent eLearning history and avoid selling this type of projects simply because they are trendy.