Screen capture - decision tree

Decision-making trees

Present learners with situations with choices for dealing with the problem, with each choice leading to consequences and further choices

Samples

First aid decision making

Making decisions on steps to follow when there has been an accident.

Source Examples on the Qandary site
URL http://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/quandary_tutorials_examples.php
Use This exercise was designed to show the use of this tool for a procedural context.
Delivery Shows how the Quandary tool can be used to develop decision-making skills where learners are involved in learning about procedures. Needs a web server or learning management system (LMS)for distribution.
Customisation This particular example cannot be modified but similar examples can be developed.
Availability NA

Decision making about relationships

Scenario about Emma and her boyfriend.

Source Where's the party at? Flexible Learning Toolbox, lead agent Swinburne TAFE
URL http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox/
demosites/series5/519/site/sex-rel-01_getting_along.htm
Use Literacy and numeracy students (15–19 year olds)
Delivery Can be delivered using a CD or loaded into a learning management system (LMS) such as WebCT, Blackboard or Janison.
Customisation The material in this Toolbox has been developed to allow for customisation. This example is not easily customised.
Availability Details of how to purchase this Toolbox are available on the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework site listed above.

Ghost in the Musuem

ESL resource that uses action maze device as a narrative choice to allow the learner to choose how the story unfolds.

Source Where's the party at? Flexible Learning Toolbox, lead agent Swinburne TAFE
URL http://www.geocities.com/Athens/forum/3941/ghost1.html
Use Literacy and Numeracy and ESL learners
Delivery Delivered from the web.
Customisation The material in this Toolbox has been developed to allow for customisation. This example cannot easily customised but similar examples can be created using Free to Education resources (see Resources below)
Availability N/A

Tongue Diagnosis

Health resource that uses action maze device as a narrative choice to allow the learner to choose how the story unfolds.

Source This exercise is an introduction to what a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine is thinking when they look at your tongue.
URL http://beyondwellbeing.com/herbs/tongue-diagnosis.shtml
Use Health Student/General public.
Delivery Shows how the Quandary tool can be used to develop content using a maze approach where learners choose what they will learn about a topic according to their interest. Needs a web server or learning management system (LMS) for distribution.
Customisation This particular example cannot be modified but similar examples can be developed using the Quandry tool.
Availability Details of how to purchase this Toolbox are available on the Australian Flexible Learning Framework site listed above.
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Why include decision-making trees?

Decision making trees are sometimes referred to as Action mazes. Similar in concept to a 'choose your own adventure' novel, they provide a highly effective structure within which you can lay out options. Learners can investigate the possible outcomes of choosing those options. They help the learner to form a balanced picture of the risks and outcomes associated with each possible course of action.

Students can safely explore the 'cause and effect' nature of a scenario or process. Consider:

  • an occupational health and safety scenario
  • a simulation of a practical activity that might involve dangerous chemicals or equipment
  • a scenario, such as a human relations dispute, that might take weeks to 'play out' in real time.

Decision making trees can also be used to develop a range of other content for learners:

  • as a narrative tool in ESL and language learning where learners can decide from choices on how a story might progress (such as the ‘Choose your own adventure’ books)
  • as a content exploration tool where learners follow content of interest based on choices provided to them

In this way, decison making trees share some overlap with simulations and virtual labs, described elsewhere in this site.

Decision-making trees can also be used by learners to map out a process in, for instance, project-based work. For instance, IT students who need to design a new software product could design their own decision tree to map out the project, identify possible problems and design navigation and user interface.

Consider using Decision Making Trees  in tandem with concept maps to support learner to map out a process, work flow, cause and effect relationships in project-based and group tasks.

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Integrating decision-making trees

Design steps

The most challenging step in producing a decision making tree is in the initial design. One of the best ways to design a decision making tree is to use a packet of sticky notes and a piece of butcher's paper or a whiteboard.

  • Establish the central scenario. Make sure your scenario is:
    • Realist:  The basic context, characters and situations should feel like they have come from an authentic case
    • Relevant: Your learners are more likely to be engaged by a scenario directly related to they skills and work place context connected to your training program.
  • Describe the initial decision point in the decision making tree. This can be done on a sticky note or through using Concept Mapping software
  • Consider the number of alternatives from the initial decision point. It is worth starting small (2 or 3 choices). Decison trees can become quite complex after only a few decision points. For instance 3 decison points each with 3 alternatives, generates 27 possible alternatives.
  • Once you have established the decision points, draw lines between them to descibe the pathways through the 'maze'. Some of these lines may link back to earlier decision points.

This design now becomes the basis from which you develop your online resource (see the Technical notes section).

Assessment

Usually, decision making trees are used as a formative assessment tool. It would be possible to have the learners develop their own decision trees and use these as the basis of assessment.

Technical notes

Decison making trees can be produced using a number of established technologies:

  • as a series of linked web pages built using web page software
  • as a series of linked web pages built using a Wiki
  • in multimedia authoring tools, such as Flash
  • using dedicated decision tree software, such as Quandary (see below).

Skills

  • good organisational skills
  • the ability to break down complex processes and map them out visually
  • basic to intermediate IT skills.
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See also

From the Framework

More resources from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Tools and resources

  • Quandary
    Produced by the same people who create HotPotatoes, Quandary makes the devlelopment of decision trees very easy. It also allows you to integrate:
    • a timer
    • scoring mechanisms
    • "assets", such as money in a stockmarket simulation or a piece of equipment in a laboratory simulation.
      These assets can be collected along the way and be used by the learners to help them complete the activity. http://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/quandary.php
  • Moodle lesson module
    The learner management system (LMS) Moodle has alLesson module that enables trainers to place questions within course content. Their response to these questions determines the content that will follow.
    http://docs.moodle.org/en/Lesson

Social bookmark for this strategy

http://del.icio.us/designelearn/debates

Last modified: 11/6/08