Choose Your Own Learning Adventure

Campbell Craig’s Playbook for Instructional Design

The “Choose Your Own Adventure” (CYOA) books were a revolutionary concept in storytelling that captivated a generation of readers including me as a kid. I guess, I am a child of the 80’s, I guess I was fortunate to own a few and still have some that I have shared with my kids. They allowed children and young adults to feel more engaged and invested in the narrative by enabling them to make decisions for the characters, thus influencing the direction and outcome of the story. Although the endings were predetermined, the illusion of choice created a highly engaging experience. The lasting appeal of CYOA books lies in the active role the reader plays, which makes the story feel personal and interactive, even though the content is static.

I feel that translating this concept/framework into instructional design has the potential to transform the learning experience. In today’s world, with the rise of digital learning tools and the focus on learner-centred design, integrating interactive, decision-based approaches like CYOA into eLearning is a natural evolution. These types of instructional strategies engage learners in a much more active way, encouraging them to make decisions, solve problems, and reflect on the consequences of their actions, all while developing critical thinking skills.

By adopting the CYOA approach, we as instructional designers can easily create engaging, scenario-based learning experiences which promote deeper understanding, active learning, and retention. I feel that this approach supports the goals of constructivist learning theories, where learners actively construct knowledge rather than passively absorbing it.

To understand how the CYOA approach fits into modern educational practices, it’s essential to examine the theoretical frameworks that support it. Two key categories of learning theories play a central role in this context: cognitive constructs and noncognitive constructs.

Cognitive Constructs

Adult Learning Theory (Andragogy)

We all should know Adult Learning Theory, developed by Malcolm Knowles as it focuses on the unique needs and characteristics of adult learners. According to his theory, adults learn best when the material is relevant, experiential, and allows for self-directed learning. The CYOA approach aligns with these principles because it can provide learners with scenarios that are both relevant and practical. The active decision-making process mirrors real-world challenges, which adult learners typically find engaging because it ties directly into their experiences.

Information Processing Model

The Information Processing Model suggests that learning occurs when information is received, processed, and stored. For the CYOA method, this aligns well with how learners must process information at key decision points in the story. Learners need to analyze the situation, consider their options, and anticipate potential consequences before making a decision. This active processing helps them engage deeply with the material, improving retention and understanding.

Cognitive Load Theory

Cognitive Load Theory emphasizes the need to manage the mental workload placed on learners during the learning process. The CYOA model works well within this framework when carefully designed. By providing limited, realistic choices that challenge learners without overwhelming them, the design can balance the cognitive load. The key is to avoid overloading the learner with too many choices at once, which could lead to decision fatigue or confusion. By keeping choices relevant and manageable, you ensure that the cognitive load remains within an optimal range for learning.

Non-Cognitive Constructs

Distributed Cognition

Distributed Cognition extends the concept of individual cognition to the social and environmental factors that shape how we think and learn. In a CYOA-based learning experience, learners are often interacting with elements of the environment (such as interactive simulations, tools, or other learners) that extend their cognitive abilities. By involving the learner in decisions that influence the outcome, they are actively constructing knowledge within a distributed context, incorporating feedback loops that enhance understanding.

Situated Learning

Situated Learning, proposed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, suggests that learning is most effective when it occurs in the context of real-world activities. The CYOA approach thrives in this environment by presenting scenarios that learners would face in real-life situations, encouraging them to make decisions that have consequences. The relevance of the situation ensures that learners connect theory with practice, making the learning process more meaningful.

Control-Value Theory

Control-Value Theory, as proposed by Pekrun, suggests that learners’ emotional responses to learning experiences are influenced by their perception of control and the value they place on the content. The CYOA framework allows learners to feel more in control of their learning journey. Since they make decisions that shape the course of the story, they are more likely to feel emotionally engaged and motivated, leading to higher investment in the learning process.

One of the leading figures in the realm of instructional design, Tom Kuhlmann, created the 3C Model, which provides a clear and practical framework for applying the principles of CYOA to instructional design. This model has three key components: Challenge, Choices, and Consequences.

Challenge: The first step in the CYOA approach is to present learners with a challenge. The challenge could take many forms—an issue, a dilemma, or a problem— that requires learners to think critically and analyze the situation. This aligns with constructivist principles, where learners actively engage with the material to construct their understanding.

For example, in a business management course, a learner might be faced with a scenario in which they must decide how to handle a conflict between employees. The challenge should encourage learners to process the situation, consider the available information, and reflect on possible outcomes.

Choices: After presenting the challenge, learners must be given choices. The key to this stage is to ensure that the choices are viable and realistic, representing decisions that could genuinely be made in real-life scenarios. By providing options, learners are forced to apply the knowledge they have learned in a practical and meaningful way.

Using the previous example, the learner could be given three possible ways to address the conflict—one might involve mediation, another might involve implementing new policies, and a third could focus on team-building exercises. Each choice should be grounded in the content being taught, ensuring that learners are exercising critical thinking.

Consequences: Each choice made by the learner will have consequences, whether immediate or delayed. These consequences provide feedback to the learner, either reinforcing their decision or challenging them to think further. This element is critical in the CYOA model because it teaches learners about the consequences of their decisions in a safe and controlled environment. The consequences also keep learners engaged, as they can see how their choices directly affect the outcome.

In the conflict resolution example, choosing mediation might lead to a positive outcome, while ignoring the issue might escalate the conflict. The learner would experience the results of their decision, leading to a deeper understanding of the topic.

I personally find the CYOA approach is not only effective for engaging learners but also reduces the “passive” nature of traditional learning formats. It puts the learner at the center of the experience, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning and make decisions that reflect their understanding.

The benefits of applying the CYOA model in educational contexts include:

Increased Engagement: By allowing learners to actively participate in their learning journey, they are more likely to stay engaged and interested. The autonomy given to learners in making decisions fosters a sense of ownership and agency over their learning, which enhances motivation.

Improved Retention: When learners are presented with decisions and consequences, they process the information more deeply. This deep processing leads to better retention of knowledge because learners are applying what they’ve learned to real-world scenarios, which improves their ability to recall and use that information later.

Personalized Learning: The flexibility in decision-making allows learners to take different paths based on their choices, catering to diverse learning preferences and making the experience more relevant to each individual.

Development of Critical Thinking Skills: The CYOA model encourages learners to think critically about the situations they face, analyze available options, and predict the consequences of their decisions. This fosters the development of essential problemsolving skills.

I think by integrating the principles of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” approach into modern instructional design, we all can create more dynamic, engaging, and impactful learning experiences. The alignment with educational theories—both cognitive and non-cognitive—makes this approach a powerful tool for fostering deeper engagement, critical thinking, and improved retention. Through the use of challenges, choices, and consequences, learners are placed in realworld scenarios that help them make meaningful connections between what they are learning and how they can apply that knowledge in practical situations.

This approach not only breathes new life into standard topics but also encourages a more interactive, learner-centered environment that is critical for effective adult learning. The potential of the CYOA model in education is vast, and as educational technology continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which we engage learners in meaningful and effective ways.

Campbell Craig is a Melbourne based eLearning Solutions Architect Connect wth him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbellcraig/