Life Skills: Role-Playing

By: Cathy Lally Megan Watts Sarah Gouskos Audra Wiley

Description

Teachers put students in specific scenarios to see how they handle the situation Creates scenarios in a useful environment

One that they can associate with scenarios

Allows for experimentation, mistakes, success and no real-life consequences Can have positive or negative outcome

How-To Information

Teacher must know what he/she wants the students to learn from the assignment Teacher will:

Describe scenario to students Appoint positions

Provide students with background

Direct students to begin role-playing Then discuss the outcome and importance w/ students

Implications & Considerations

Pros:

Places students in real-world scenarios Gives students hands-on experiences Students may not want to participate

Cons:

embarrassed, shy, unfamiliar with scenario

Students may not take activity seriously

Must explain purpose and ensure clear understanding of the activity

Examples of Role-Playing Activities

Answering a telephone Asking for help Greeting others Starting a conversation Interacting well with co-workers Emergency situations Job interview Taking responsibility

References

Williams, G., & Reisberg, L. (2003, March). Successful inclusion: teaching social skills through curriculum integration. Intervention in School & Clinic, 38(4), 205. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Parsons, S., & Mitchell, P. (2002, June). The potential of virtual reality in social skills training for people with autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 46(5), 430-443. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Hanley, G., Heal, N., & Tiger, J. (2007, Summer). Evaluation of a class wide teaching program for preschool life skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(2), 377-300. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Gamble, B. (2006, September). Teaching life skills for student success. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 81(6), 40-41. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.

Additional Links

These are just a few websites found that contain some good information that teachers/paraprofessionals can use: Starting Point: Role-Playing Exercises http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/roleplaying/ Enhancing Life Skills http://www.schoolcounselors.com/counselors_8.pdf Journal of Extension, Creative Teaching: Simulations, Games, and Role Playing http://www/joe.org/joe/1989summer/tt1.html