Updated to reflect the changing (and increasing) use of role play to reinforce learning both at school and work, this text also now incorporates advice on the use of computers in training and educational role-plays. All the practical tips are based on a firm theoretical basis.

Role-play has escaped from the drama studio and established itself as one of the most effective learning techniques across the curriculum, and it is also a crucial component of most management training. This book explains how to use it well.

Fully updated to reflect the changing (and increasing) use of role play to reinforce learning both at school and work, this seminal work has now been adapted to incorporate advice on the use of computers in training and educational role-plays. Packed with practical tips yet firmly fixed upon a sound theoretical basis the book provides an ideal introduction to the topic. This book describes the full range of role-play methods available, offering tips about the advantages and limitations inherent in them. The author challenges readers to look beyond their current practice and examines other and sometimes better ways which may be more suited to the particular task at hand.

Offers a focal point in lessons integrating the four skills. Gives experienced teachers fresh ideas, and less experienced teachers lots of practical support.

Your Periodic Table of Learning Elements Engaging, effective training programs are a mixture of science and art, requiring the right balance of adult learning theory, available technology, intuitive tools, proven practices, creativity, and risk. How does a trainer find the right combination and proportion of these elements? How does a trainer know what’s possible? To answer these questions, Brian Washburn offers a simple yet elegant periodic table of learning elements modeled on the original periodic table of chemical properties. Washburn’s elements—which are organized into solids, liquids, gases, radioactive, and interactive categories similar to their chemical cousins—are metaphors for the tools and strategies of the field of learning design; when they’re combined, and under certain conditions, they have the potential to create amazing learning experiences for participants. They are that impactful. From critical gas-like elements like the air we breathe, present in every training room (think instructional design or visual design), to radioactive elements, powerful and dangerous yet commonly used (think PowerPoint), Washburn guides you through the pitfalls and choices you confront in creating engaging learning experiences. A well-designed training program can be world-changing, he argues, and if you believe in your craft as a learning professional, you can do this too. Whether you’re an experienced learning designer or new to the field, this book inspires with new ideas and ways to organize the design of your learning programs. With stories from Washburn’s professional experience, the book includes a hands-on glossary of definitions and descriptions for more than 50 of his elements.

Since 2001, the international network Active Learning in Engineering education (ALE) organized a series of international workshops on innovation of engineering education. The papers in this book are selected to reflect the state of the art, based on contributions to the 2005 ALE workshop in Holland. This overview of experiences in research and practice aims to be a source of inspiration for engineering educators.

Role-play simulations are a popular method for active learning in business education. Instructors in a variety of business disciplines use role-plays to facilitate student engagement and promote more dynamic class environments. In this book, the authors provide instructors of all experience levels with frameworks for understanding role-play simulations and implementing them in their classes.

Based on extensive research, and grounded in everyday classroom practice, the authors of this book explore important issues surrounding play in the early years curriculum. The book presents children’s views on, and response to their role-play environment, alongside examples of good classroom practice, and addresses vital questions such as: Will structuring role play replace children’s own attempts to create scenarios that grow out of their interests and relationships? Has an over-emphasis on subjects like literacy and numeracy eclipsed the important processes inherent in children’s social play? How we can ensure that provision for role play fully benefits all young children? Critically, the authors present the child’s perspective on play in schools throughout, and argue firmly against a formal, inflexible learning environment for young children. This book will be fascinating to all students on primary education undergraduate courses and early childhood studies. Researchers and course leaders will also find this book a ground-breaking read.

Role Plays and Creative Activities: Teaching Social Skills and Self-Understanding presents over 150 role plays, micro role plays (role plays that run for a few minutes), creative activities, and guided imagery (stories with psychological content to be read to the children) which Dr. Christopher Glenn has developed and used for over thirty years. Everyday people, like parents and people who want to run activity groups for children, can use these activities to have fun with children in the 8 – 11 age range. Professionals, teachers, counselors, and students-in-training can take advantage of the psychological and social nature of the activities to foster the social and emotional growth of elementary aged children. Focusing on self-understanding, self-control, and the development of social skills, a constructive group experience can effectively teach children positive outcomes. This text includes detailed notes on how to set up and run the role play group, so anyone with basic skills in working with groups of children can encourage emotional and social growth.

Learn how to use role-plays to bring history and literature to life! When students take on the roles of historical or literary figures, they develop a greater understanding of characters’ identities and motivations, and are able to more deeply explore and reflect upon key issues and themes. In this new book from award-winning teacher David Sherrin, you’ll find out how this lively instructional format will make teaching a more immersive, interactive, and memorable experience for your middle school and high school students. The book includes: A clear how-to guide to get the most out of role-playing in your class; Ready-made units and lessons to get you started right away, complete with sample scripts, scaffolding worksheets, and assessment rubrics; Templates and step-by-step instructions to help you design your own role-plays. The pre-made units, which Sherrin spent years refining in his classroom, cover historical topics such as the rise of Nazi Germany and the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. You’ll also find fun and interactive role-plays based on literary works like The Pearl and Fences. These lessons will help students at all ability levels to become better communicators, problem-solvers, and creative thinkers.