Onstage, or Behind the Scenes? Relative Learning Benefits of Simulation Role-Play and Design

Simulation & Gaming, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 465-497, 2011

43 Pages Posted: 25 Aug 2011 Last revised: 31 Dec 2012

See all articles by Daniel Druckman

Daniel Druckman

George Mason University - Department of Public & International Affairs

Noam Ebner

Creighton University Heider College of Business

Date Written: August 25, 2011

Abstract

In this article, the authors report the results of two experiments that explored hypotheses about the relative learning advantages of role-play and scenario design. The experiments were conducted with similar student populations in Australia and Israel. Using a matched-pairs design, participants were randomly assigned to design and role-play conditions. They worked on their tasks following an hour-long lecture on three negotiation concepts: alternatives, time pressure, and negotiating power. A lecture-only control group was implemented in the Australian experiment. In both experiments, designers, working “behind the scenes,” indicated better concept learning in the short run than their role-play counterparts performing “onstage,” as well as in comparison with the control group. They showed better understanding of the way the concepts are related and retained the learning gains over time. Moreover, the designers were at least as motivated as role-players and controls and, for the Israel participants, showed more motivation. The results, favoring designers, spread widely across the various questions, asked immediately after the experience and 1 week later: 86% of the answers given favored designers in terms of direction; 52% of these were statistically significant. Implications are discussed for explanatory mechanisms, programmatic research, and teaching/training approaches.

Keywords: concept learning, simulation, role-play, scenrio design, motivation, retention, negotiation, pedagogy, concept learning, matched-pairs

Suggested Citation

Druckman, Daniel and Ebner, Noam, Onstage, or Behind the Scenes? Relative Learning Benefits of Simulation Role-Play and Design (August 25, 2011). Simulation & Gaming, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 465-497, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1916785

Daniel Druckman (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Public & International Affairs ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States
703-993-1400 (Phone)

Noam Ebner

Creighton University Heider College of Business ( email )

2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
306
Abstract Views
2,214
Rank
180,150
PlumX Metrics