SmartLabs were developed to address Microsoft’s planning and design courses. In reviewing these courses, Toolwire realized that there was not a clear mechanism for learners to practice and reinforce the course concepts. Labs were not an obvious fit because these courses do not require the manipulation of any equipment and, unlike labs; they do not involve choices which are purely right or wrong.
Toolwire realized that there needed to be a new type of lab. Provided exclusively by Toolwire, this new type of lab needed to involve practical challenges associated with planning and design and require learners to gather data, filter through imperfect information, and formulate conclusions. Another requirement for these labs was that they needed to deliver best-practice takeaways in an easy to digest format for easy reference.
Toolwire’s response to this challenge was the development of SmartLabs:
- Emphasizes Thinking Versus Doing -- Strategy and Analysis versus Hands-On Skills
- Makes Coursework Interactive and Engaging through a Non-Linear Learning Process
- Mimics Real-World Challenges through Practical Scenarios, Real Context, and Maze of Information Sources
- Provides Qualitative Feedback on the Learner’s Design Choices
- Creates a Risk-Free Venue where Learners Are Encouraged to Practice and Refine their Solutions
- Serves as a Downstream Reference Resource
How SmartLabs Work
Like our LiveLabs, SmartLabs conform to Microsoft’s official course curriculum. They feature a graphically rich, free-form, learning environment. Also SmartLabs are designed to be consumed in focused 30-minute modules.
Each SmartLab includes a floating notepad for gathering and managing data. This is important because learners are forced to weigh contrasting data sources and diversions (e.g. new data) that surface during the course of the learner’s exploration and analysis. At the end of the data-gathering phase, learners are asked to submit a report with their analysis and findings. SmartLabs provides instant feedback, including hints, tips and information that the learner might have missed during the first portion of the lab. Once the learner has concluded with the lab, they are also provided a take-away case worksheet with best practice conclusions.
SmartLabs provide a simple, repeatable process to build analytic, design and planning skills.
SmartLabs Deliver Tangible Results
- True Experiential Learning – Mirroring Real-World Scenarios
- Engaging because it is relevant and dynamic
- Each lab experience will be unique for every user
- Unique in the Marketplace – Not offered by any other Lab Vendor
- Based on contextualized, real-world experience of Microsoft Certified Engineers
- Non-linear simulations provide personalized feedback
- Instructional gaming logic requires data-gathering and filtering
- Learning is Relevant
- Maps to official Microsoft courses and exam requirements
- Takeaway “best practices” case worksheet are provided at end of each lab
- Builds on Different Skills from Traditional LiveLabs
- Emphasizes strategic decision making and problem solving over tactical exercises
- Emphasizes analytics over skills
- Leverages Toolwire’s On-Demand model – Available to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere
