Instructional Strategy: Role Play, Games and

SimulationsKendra, Jillian and Josh

November 1, 2012

Explanation

O When students play an active role in the learning process and are responsible for their actions, they acquire greater knowledge of the decision-making process and the rules that govern it.

O Students are active, involved and reflective in a dynamic way.

O By having an opportunity to experience and ‘feel’ a situation or event, students have a great insight and understanding.

FeaturesO Highly motivationalO Allows students to apply what they learn in

various waysO Increase confidenceO Facilitate communication/connectionsO Allows for independenceO Encourages techniques of cooperation, not

competitionO Allows teacher to work with a wide range of

student capabilitiesO Changes the social condition under which

learning takes place

Advantages

O Motivating and enjoyable activity for students

O Promotes critical thinkingO Hands on learning O Collaboration with classmatesO Social skills are broadened

Disadvantages

O Students could get off task more often

O Preparation time takes longer for teacher and students

O Assessment is harder for teachers in these situations compared to formal learning activities

Steps to ImplementationO Prior to using this teaching strategy a teacher

much first decide how long this simulation/ role play will take and plan from there.

O Some cases may take one lesson where as others may take up to a couple of weeks. The teacher must decide how many participants are needed, if a few students are needed for an example or if students will be broken off into small groups.

O Students must know procedures and expectations clearly prior to participating.

O The teacher must know what they want to accomplish from using simulations/ role-play as opposed to using other teaching strategies.

Assessing Student LearningO assess student learning on an

individual’s emotional involvement within the key factors of the key factors of the situation

O student’s ability to:O identify and portray the conceptO demonstrate understanding of the

concept or processes under study through their actions and words

O search for optionsO workout possible consequences

ExamplesO Games

O MonopolyO opportunity to add, subtract, and plan

O Chess and OthelloO provide insight into cause and effect

O Role PlayO high degree of student physical mobilityO encourages students to communicateO injects feelings of realism and relevance

O SimulationO promote a positive relationship between teacher

and studentsO change the social conditions which learning takes

placeO allow for some testing of roles by students