The Solution

The instructor integrates VACT into the Organizational Behaviour learning management system and uploads the podcast style lecture where she is interviewing the management consultant. She knows the interview is a tad lengthy, so she builds in breaks using reflective questions. After the first scenario she breaks the podcast by recording "Are there any other ways this problem could have been solved?" She records a reflection question after the second scenario, and decides to require a short reflective submission from each of the students after the third and final scenario. She divides up the class into small groups of 5 for this discussion.

Laurel logs into her online course on her mobile device. She listens to the first scenario and finds the discussion fascinating. She says "pause" and the podcast stops. She begins thinking about how she would have handled that scenario. She then says "Note", she hears "Please say Record when you are ready to begin recording your note and say End Note when finished." Laurel pauses and then begins, "Record...This reminds me of what we discussed last week. You must always be prepared with a contingency plan in the event you need it. The boss failed to do that and paid the price....End Note". She hears "Note saved. Continue listening?", "Yes" she replies. She continues listening to the rest of the discussion. "Are there any other ways this problem could have been solved?" She smiles hearing the familiar voice of her instructor. "Would you like to respond to the post now or later?" asks the app."Now" replies Laurel. "You have one note saved, would you like to listen to this note before replying?" "Yes" she says. Laurel listens to her note and remembers her line of thinking. "Record" she says and begins responding to the prompt. She "Ends Reply" and is given the option to listen and rerecord.

She's fine with what she has. Laurel didn't always have this confidence in her replies. At one time she would rerecord several times before posting, but this app has improved her speaking skills and confidence. "There are 3 other responses to this post. Would you like to listen to them now or later?" asks the app. "Now" she replies. She hears Eric's voice. He's hilarious but so incredibly thoughtful at the same time. Of course, she laughs at his response and says "reply" She replies to Eric and moves on to the other two. She hears Eric's response to Anika and has a point she wants to add and does so.

The consultant begins discussing the second scenario. This one is bizarre! The consultant mentions using a tool, but she didn't quite catch the name of it. "Rewind 5 seconds" she interrupts. "Rewinding 5 seconds" she hears. Ohh, he said verbal synthesis. She continues making her snack. She hears her instructors voice pop on and ask another reflective question. She answers and participates in the discussion while making her sandwich. Right as the final scenario is about to be discussed, she feels like she needs a break. She's still fairly alert because she's been doing more than just listening, but decides to take the break anyway. "Pause" she says, before sitting on the couch. She eats while watching television. Finally, she decides to listen to that final scenario because she knows there may be another discussion prompt that follows. She logs back into the course and says "Play" the app remembers exactly where she left off and continues from that point.