Emphasizes the educational benefits derived from research in dramatics arts. Cites research indicating that role playing has a positive effect on oral language, moral reasoning, and self-esteem. Points out that teachers and administrators do not include dramatic instruction in their curriculum, and offers ways to make dramatic arts more appealing.…

This paper argues the value of drama processes in science classrooms as a way of enabling students to learn openly from and with each other and of enhancing higher order learning skills. Role-playing, focus, and tension are described as constructs to guide the pedagogy of drama processes. (YP)

Suggests that continuing education teachers work continually to develop and maintain mastery of their subject area, employ unexploitative methods and techniques in knowledge transference, and nurture personal, emotional ties with students through role playing. (DMM)

Suggests activities for fostering critical reading skills in social studies. Activities include assigning reporting roles to students; asking students to create a cartoon or a slogan; requiring students to review a favorite television program; and helping students identify exaggeration. (KO)

Criminal suspects who are mentally retarded frequently are unable to understand or take advantage of their constitutional rights. Students should receive instruction concerning their rights. Through mock arrest situations, they should be taught to request an attorney, as a cued response reaction to being taken into custody. (JDD)

Describes a game used in a graduate course dealing with interviewing skills. When following game rules, students are required to generate hypotheses and to engage in decision making techniques. Indicates student reaction to this exercise is positive. Notes that the activity brings about disinhibition in students while providing them with pertinent…

In a University of California continuing pharmacy education course in diabetes care, practicing pharmacists lived as patients with diabetes for two days and role-played in small groups. One year later, participants reported making changes in their diabetes care-related practice, suggesting its effectiveness in improving practitioners' skill…

Provides an overview of the most widely used methods of classroom oral testing, as well as evaluations of their practicality and conformity to the goals of communicative teaching and testing. Also described are ways the video camera and task-based activities have successfully been used to make oral testing a more realistic communicative…

Teacher Educators who want to help students become leaders must let them practice the skills in their courses before going out to teach. One successful method is simulating the context in which leaders make policy decisions in groups. The article describes a course that uses simulations to teach leadership roles. (SM)

Three short articles highlight tips for teaching in the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom, including cooperative learning strategies, a listening comprehension activity, and ideas on why detail is essential for clarity in writing. (CK)

Examined the effect of sociodramatic play on the literacy learning of first graders. Found that sociodramatic play provided a vehicle through which the players practiced what they knew about literacy and provided an opportunity to think about literacy in the context of various play themes. Adult mediation enhanced the players' incorporation of…

Basic thinking regarding certain aspects of learner autonomy is presented as well as certain cultural traits that may impede the promotion of autonomy. The use of large-scale simulation can create a learning environment that promotes autonomy. It is concluded that concrete acts of taking responsibility imbue the learner with a sense of autonomy.…

Describes the development and writing of hypotheticals (role-playing) by final-year education students based on local environmental issues that incorporated social, political, and economic elements. The activity enhanced students' communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills, responsibility for learning, and led to a greater knowledge…

Role play is effective in cooperative learning because it reduces anxiety, promotes risk taking, and is versatile. Students share ideas, values, knowledge, and skills, creating mutual problem solving. Limitations include the time required and student personalization of roles. The article lists guidelines for enhancing role play, noting alternative…

Presents career exploration activities for middle school students to stimulate interest and provide information concerning career opportunities in the science field. The activities are cited as representative of an Earth systems education curriculum approach that includes career exploration as an important aspect of science education. (nine…