Purpose: This paper aims to briefly outline the seamless evaluation approach and its application during an evaluation of ORIENT, a serious game aimed at young adults. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, the authors detail a unobtrusive, embedded evaluation approach that occurs within the game context, adding value and entertainment to the…

This paper presents selected findings from a 5-year design-based research case study of the evolution of an online role play that allows postgraduate students to explore the complexities inherent in land rights negotiations between indigenous peoples and others. In the context of Laurillard's (2002) conversational framework and a design-based…

"Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Constitution" is an engaged-learning activity that has been conducted in 26 classes over the past four years. The activity teaches multiple themes commonly included in a variety of courses on American politics such as federalism, congressional powers, the role of the federal courts, and the relevance of the commerce…

This study looked at teachers' role-play and simulations in order to increase teachers' skills in psycho-pedagogical support on educational virtual worlds. We put forward a proposal to encourage the use of 3D scenarios where teachers can improve their skills for situations of cultural and ethical concerns that require a high level…

The paper describes and evaluates Disability Awareness Day (DAD), an activity at Indiana University designed to raise the awareness of the participants to the disabled community and strengthen the University's commitment to the disabled community. During the day four films were shown and disability simulations of the following handicapping…

Addressing the problems of bullying in schools, this paper presents a novel and highly innovative pedagogical approach, building on the immersive power of virtual role-play. Educational role-play is widely accepted as a powerful instrument to change attitudes and behaviour, but faces some difficulties and disadvantages when applied to sensitive…

This report is intended to provide a history of the development and evaluation of a set of training materials. The goal of this unit is to help school staff develop an understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, collect, organize, and analyze information useful in making decisions about program modification. The unit deals…

Background: The literature on immersive virtual worlds and e-learning to date largely indicates that technology has led the pedagogy. Although rationales for implementing e-learning have included flexibility of provision and supporting diversity, none of these recommendations has helped to provide strong pedagogical location. Furthermore, there is…

This paper presents the background and development of the Crisis Intervention Simulation Survey, (CISS), a written simulation instrument designed to assess police officers' knowledge of effective crisis intervention skills and the awareness of their emotional responses to selected crisis intervention situations. It summarizes the recent history of…

This report describes the design and development of training to increase cultural awareness. Significant aspects of intercultural interaction were simulated in a series of role playing exercises. Typical American values and assumptions were demonstrably elicited from a trainee as he interacted with a "foreign" auxiliary. The auxiliary was trained…

A case study design that included classroom observation, repeated self-assessments, and formal interviews was used in a training workshop for 11 preservice teachers. The intent was to train them to use dramatic activities with secondary school students in their own classrooms. The training incorporated elements of theory, demonstration, peer…

This report summarizes a program to help parents learn some specific teaching skills to help their children learn. To develop a positive reinforcement teaching style was the basic objective because it is both the most simple style to learn and the most powerful style for building success in learning. Role-play stimulation in small groups was the…

Suggests staging simulated accidents for emergency planning and training. Describes planning and staging simulated accidents for outdoor programs. Offers tips on role playing and how to create imitation "wounds." Describes implementation of plan, emphasizing value of proper supervision and evaluation upon completion. (TES)

As it was initially implemented, e-learning did little other than supply facts and information, offering limited opportunity for interactivity and problem-solving. Designers need to find ways to address past limitations and bring the engagement of classroom training to the web. One method that merits attention is scenario-based learning. The…

Communication skills are critical when the physician must convey distressful information. A study to determine whether training second-year medical students to convey such information would be effective in improving their skills is reported. (MLW)