Simulation is very closely related to the concept of ROLE PLAY .
The main difference is that in a role play students are usually told who they are and what they have to say. For example, one student might be a waiter in a restaurant and the other might be a customer - their roles are clearly defined, they both know what will happen, and what they are expected to say. Students are placed in a situation where they will have to make decisions. Normally, they can still be themselves and they can contribute the knowledge and experience they have from the outside world. The outcomes of a simulation can therefore be different every time the simulation is done.