Having fun with role plays

Abstract

<jats:p>Role plays are almost universally loved by educators as a great teaching tool in the medical context, and almost universally hated by students and doctors on training programs, who cite embarrassment and humiliation as key barriers to embracing this teaching technique. “I would rather walk barefoot over hot coals than participate in a role play in front of my colleagues” is not an uncommon response to the suggestion of using role plays in teaching for doctors and medical students. But the good news is that it does not have to be this way! During this fun workshop, Dr. Hilton Koppe will present a number of role play techniques borrowed from psychodrama and adapted for use within the medical context. His use of role plays in teaching has achieved virtual legendary status as a result of the high evaluations they receive from medical students and doctors in training. Workshop attendees will be invited to participate in a number of scenarios which will be used to demonstrate a range of techniques which make the use of role plays both fun, and a highly effective teaching tool. The rationale underpinning these techniques will be outlined.</jats:p>

Police education and role play: Insights from the literature

“…Despite the significant benefits of using role play as a teaching and learning strategy, Koppe (2018) argues that for some students, role play is nothing more than an embarrassing and humiliating tool within education. However, Sander et al (2000) argue that feelings of embarrassment and humiliation could be overcome by introducing students to role play within a safe environment.…”