Because of their presumably familiar plot lines and character tropes, the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales are often included as one of the earliest literary selections in German language and culture curricula. However, for learners to engage more critically and interpretively with fairy-tale genres, it is exactly their assumed familiarity with the…

This paper describes the design and development of ERAS, an experiential role-playing aging simulation. This webbased tool was designed for psychology students to engage in a role-playing experience that serves to increase individuals' empathy toward the elderly, as they learn about aging. In ERAS, the learners take on the role of aging…

The development of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) becomes increasingly important in the world language curriculum and a crucial goal to prepare students for real-life communicative situations outside of the classroom. This article discusses how a simulation exercise based on the contentious construction of the Tesla Gigafactory in…

This article presents an educational action research study examining how one online, classroom-based role-play simulation offers middle school students the opportunity to strengthen their agency and voice. The Jewish Court of All Time (JCAT) is a web-mediated simulation designed for middle school classrooms where students take on roles of various…

Institutions of higher learning are increasingly asked to defend curricular and pedagogical outcomes. Faculty must demonstrate that simulations are productive tools for learning, but a review of the literature shows that the evidence of their effectiveness is inconclusive, despite their popularity in the classroom. Simulations may in fact help…

This article introduces a sociology role-playing game (RPG) used to demonstrate the broad range of social forces, institutions, and structures in a semester-long series of in-class and homework assignments. RPGs and other simulation games have been frequently suggested as a useful teaching methodology because of their unique ability to allow…

Simple role-play simulations can not only demonstrate the dynamics of a conflict but also create awareness of multiple perspectives even among populations relatively set in their opinions. To teach my student population of military officers, I utilize simple, nongame simulations of multisided Middle East conflicts that not only facilitate learning…

Describes variation on role plays used in counselor education classes that teach lessons about the counseling process. (Author/CM)

The Simulation Game is proposed as a means of sensitizing professionals to problems and dilemmas of key team members (social workers, nurses, health educators, physicians, and clinical psychologists) in geriatric health care. The game involves role playing from cards which present difficult issues and cases in such care. (CB)

Found that students cast in the roles of managers in the SIMCORP simulation reported different perceptions about learning than did students cast in the roles of workers. (SIMCORP is an interactive simulated complex organization which specializes in information dissemination.) (PD)

This study examined the effects of parameter controls (highly structured v unstructured play) and student ability and sex on the extent to which junior high students engaged themselves in four social studies simulation games. Internally parametered (unstructured) games produced greater role acceptance. Sex and ability variables were not…

Presents a lesson where the students participate in a simulation of the process at Ellis Island in order to understand the feelings people underwent during immigration. Explains that the students choose and research a character, either fictional or a relative, and act out the experience of entering Ellis Island. (CMK)

This article uses a classroom Civil War exercise to illustrate how teachers can use fist-person characterization to communicate social history. It describes the benefits of first-person characterization for gifted students and outlines a seven-day schedule for a unit on the Civil War. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study investigated the comparative effectiveness of videotape protocols and role-play simulations as procedures for eliciting designated teacher competencies. Results indicate that the videotape protocol treatment was the superior procedure for teaching specific behaviors to preservice teachers in a field-based reading practicum. (CJ)

Describes a simulation that enhances student ability to gain a perspective on the opposite sex and their world view. Includes a guided mental imagery trip in which the instructor asks questions about daily activities and role reversal simulations using group activity. Cautions that debriefing is essential for success. (KO)