Role Play and Simulations Students love playing roles. They enjoy taking on the identity of others. In the process they learn valuable social studies skills such as developing empathy and seeing situations from multiple perspectives.
Simulations are also effective at helping students engage in problem solving in real world contexts.
Games, computer software, and reenactments of situations, for example, a simulation of a Congressional hearing are examples of simulations. Simulations and role plays are wonderful ways to make events from the past or present come alive. But they are difficult to do well. At this stage the teacher identifies a topic which requires students to look at many sides of a difficult issue, requires the development of an opinion, or includes key players with interesting personalities. The teacher sets the context and makes sure students do not fall into the trap of presentism-role playing with hindsight.