Level 3 - Lesson 4: Creating the Best Path

As you watch the video below, look out for these learning points:

• The Best Path is the most ideal form of the conversation
• Build in tension and stakes for your learners to feel like their choices matter
• 4 decision nodes equates to around 2 minutes of the conversational experience

A Best Path is the most ideal form of a conversation, where the learner exercises all skills perfectly.

→ It should include Learning Objectives, Key Learning Points, and S kills, and serves as a starting point for building the rest of the structure.

• Follow a structure like the five-act story arc to create tension and stakes, so your learner feels like their choices matter!
• Aim for about 14 decisions in the Best Path.
• Remember that four decisions roughly translate to two minutes of gameplay.
• The sweet spot for experiences is around 20 minutes.
• Start with setting the context, GRAB ATTENTION! 😉 build suspense, introduce a turning point or reveal, re-contextualize the learner's accomplishments, and create a realistic ending or transition into the next conversation.

In the example Best Path:

→ the learner engages in conversation with a character named Esther.

• The conversation starts with minimal back-and-forth and gradually progresses to relating to Esther on an emotional level, using probing questions to uncover underlying issues.
• Even if the learner is practicing skills perfectly, it will still likely take time to build rapport and trust with the character.
• Adding plot twists and uncovering additional layers of information can help reward learners for exercising their skills.