Role-Play Discussion: A Technique for Engaging Students in Discussion

Abstract

The role-play discussion technique is introduced, where students are given the role of parents dealing with bullying incidents in the school. This technique promotes active engagement in discussion for all members of a class by requiring each student to share information that was ostensibly provided by their child regarding the incidents. ‘Parents’ are given partial and sometimes false information and must come to conclusions about the events through discussion. A discussion leader (playing the principal) guides discussion of the events and possible solutions. Student evaluations of the exercise were quite favourable. Possible variations in the topics and format of the discussion are proposed.