Learning for safety - Improving effectiveness of scenario-based exercises

Society protects its citizens against crises and emergencies. Emergency management, and particularly preparedness for emergency response, can be strengthened through the use of scenario-based exercises. Since such exercises are expensive, it is of common interest to make efficient use of their results. One way to enhance existing methods for scenario-based exercise is to improve their learning effectiveness. In this paper we discuss how improved learning for emergency management can be achieved, based on learning theory. When using scenario-based exercises, it is important to help learners experience adequate relevance structures. Training situations should comprise relevant variation. Learners should be encouraged to adopt a deep approach to learning. Holistic organisation of knowledge should be facilitated. Used in the right way, it seems possible that scenario-based exercises can fulfil these requirements. From this we have put together practical tips on how to improve learning from scenario-based exercises. (Less)