e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

15.7. Build in Guidance

Design simulations and games in ways that offer structure and learning support. Research is just starting to uncover ways to incorporate effective guidance. In the sections to follow, we describe the following techniques for guidance, summarized in Table 15.1.

• Incorporate instructional explanations;

• Encourage reflection on instructional content;

• Manage complexity; and

• Provide instructional support.

Table 15.1. Techniques for Guidance in Games and Simulations.

Technique	Description	Examples
Incorporate Explanations	Provide explanatory feedback rather than corrective-only feedback Provide brief instructional explanations between simulation rounds	Remember that you need two recessive genes to see a recessive trait. Try again. To ...