Difference Between Role Play and Simulation Method of Teaching in a Tabular Chart
Back to: Pedagogy of English- Unit 5
Simulation and role-play are effective teaching methods that simplify learning for students. Simulation refers to the method where an individual acts or imitates a role in a play whereas role play refers to when an individual portrays a role in a play. The simulation method of teaching refers to a model that represents a real classroom but the learning takes place in a virtual atmosphere. It tests the knowledge and skill levels of the participants by placing them in situations and scenarios where they must solve problems actively. To create a safe environment, the parameters are defined by the instructor to foster hands-on learning experiences.
Shannon states
“Simulation is the process of designing a model of a real system and conducting experiments with this model for the purpose of understanding the behavior (with the limits imposed by a criterion or set of criteria) for the operation of the system”.
Role play in the classroom refers to a method of instruction in which students are asked to take the role of someone else in a given situation so that they can understand the situation from a fresh perspective than they normally would. It is an active method of learning and teaching.
Difference between Role-Play and Simulation Method of Teaching
| SIMULATION METHOD | ROLE PLAY METHOD |
| It is general and takes place in a group situation | It is specific and each student has a representative role |
| It is teacher-driven or computer-driven and is premeditated | It is student-driven and spontaneous |
| The events in this method could have happened or can be hypothetical | The action in this method has a past and the events have happened already |
| This method mimics real life and is highly relatable and relevant | In this method, the focus is on what will happen |
| This method is reflective where the learners have to reflect on what they will do | This method focuses on problem-solving as a problem is given and the students have to determine how they will fix it |
These are the main differences between the role play and the simulation method of teaching.
