In this adaptable activity, students add research about other regions and cultures to the traditional role-play. Students are given a character, research the lives of people in the area and the issues affecting them, and then develop their ideas about what that character might think about those issues. Giving them the chance to research and learn…

We designed and implemented an innovative teacher learning activity within the context of a graduate course. Course-takers created and completed a teaching demonstration and their "students" (i.e., fellow course-takers) were each assigned a specific role to play (e.g., disengaged) in order to provide the "teachers" with…

This article proposes a conception of the teacher as an "Impresario with a Scenario," a multi-centric and co-constructivist model in contrast to the familiarly student-centered and constructivist ideal of the Guide on the Side. I argue that the Impresario conception is truer to the practices of many teachers inspired by the "Guide…

Recent college graduates are entering a competitive workforce that demands strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. However, many recent surveys and reports describe college graduates as deficient in these skills. For two courses at separate institutions, we each framed a course as a job, playing the role of a supervisor or…

Instructors are often reluctant to alter their current pedagogies in favor of engaged learning alternatives. In this article the author describes the development and implementation of an engaged learning, simulation-based pedagogy designed to increase student and instructor engagement. Student learning was examined across simulation and…

The author discusses the use of role-play to teach research ethics in three semesters of a research methods class. Small groups of students were assigned one of nine ethical norms discussed in the course textbook and the American Sociological Association Code of Ethics. Each group role-played the violation of their assigned ethic to the class. The…

The authors designed an active learning project for a child development course in which students apply core concepts to a hypothetical baby they "raise" during the term. Students applied developmental topics to their unique, developing child. The project fostered student learning and enthusiasm for the material. The project's versatility makes it…

A two-hat debate technique is described in which one author wore a straw hat and spoke in favor of the American system, then donned a beret and argued for the French party system. The technique has been used to examine political issues, government policies, institutions of different nations, etc. (MLW)

The topic of social structure and interaction presents social science professors with a notable teaching opportunity. The active learning technique described in this article requires students to briefly analyze the statuses and roles of individuals with whom they are familiar. They then role play assigned characters as they would interact at a…

An exercise designed to provide students with an opportunity to take responsibility for learning an assigned reading and to share ideas with their colleagues is described. The exercise also provides a safe atmosphere in which to practice communication skills, critical thinking, and decision making. (MLW)

"The Party" is a role-playing activity used in an ethnic studies course at California State University at Fullerton to help students experience cultural stereotyping firsthand. Students responded with enthusiasm to the experience and found it effective in sensitizing them to diversity issues. Suggestions are offered for teachers using…

A combination of strategies that stimulates and engages graduate students, who take classes at night, is the use of cases drawn from students' personal working experiences. Material from these cases plus stories from current newspapers joined with the techniques of role playing, inquiry instruction, and Socratic dialogue create stimulating…

The incorporation of social interaction methods of teaching and the notion of the teacher as a performing artist in an undergraduate education course is described. Techniques used include icebreakers, group process, learning in pairs, role playing and discussion, and experiential activities. (MSE)

If colleges and universities want to share a leadership role in preparing students for successful careers in high technology, they must develop high quality programs that provide skills for careers in the corporate community and public sector, while providing a solid grounding in the liberal arts. Corporate leaders were interviewed. (MLW)

Techniques for providing variety and effectiveness within the lecture format are described, including the oral essay, participatory lecture, problem-solving approach, alternating mini-lectures and discussions, modeling analytical skills, debate, simulation and role-playing, and the affective/emotional media lecture. (MSE)