Abstract:

Role play simulation is seen as an experiential learning approach. This paper describes a single player role play simulation. Through role play simulation, a role player can take the role of a practitioner and learn from making decisions and mistakes, avoiding real world consequences. The role play simulation allows a player to play a certain role and makes decisions on real world problems in a simulation based on principles and practices of that role. Learners are given a chance to make the same types of decisions they might encounter or experience on the job, in the same content. A key feature of role-based learning is their experiential nature and the reliance upon reflection of actions within the activity. This paper presents an approach to role play simulation known as SP-RPS which focuses on single player mode. The approach comes with a design notation that is capable of modeling flow, sequence, scenarios and decisions known as Role Play Design Notation (RPDN). The approach is simple and easy to understand. A design specification that is developed using the notation is known as Role Play Design Specification (RPDS). The paper illustrates RPDN and RPDS through an example in the domain of software engineering. A design specification can then be converted to produce a running role play simulator.

Keywords:

Role play simulation, experiential learning, design notation, design specification, role play simulator, software engineering.