Abstract:

Introduction:
Role-playing is an active participation tool that facilitates the cooperative learning to the students. It can even result more effective than traditional methods for the competences learning.

Purpose:
The aim of this study is to assess Physiotherapy students’ satisfaction regarding the use of the role-playing as a collaborative learning tool, in the study of Disability Assistance within the subject Public Health in Physiotherapy.

Methods:
Students were divided into subgroups of 4 or 5 people. Each subgroup worked using role-playing as a cooperative active participation technique. One session was established, which objective was that the students should understand and accept other different postures and, as a consequence, a change of behavior occur.

The following strategy was performed:
1) The teacher established the subject (Disability Assistance), clearly defined the objectives to be achieved and distributed the roles among the students;
2) the students prepared their role for 5 minutes;
3) the interpretation started and students assumed the role, behaviors and attitudes, with the maximum spontaneity;
4) to end, a critical analysis of the process (feelings, changes, events, etc.) was performed.

After the performance, a debate between the different groups, coordinated by the teacher, started. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire was used to assess students’ satisfaction and motivation regarding to the technique.

Results:
A total of 82 questionnaires were registered. The 96% of students positively rated role-playing, and the 95% thought that it facilitates the participation. On the other hand, the 94% thought that role-playing facilitates the comprehension and 94% considered it is useful tool for their learning. Moreover, the 94% considered that the method facilitates the work, while 90% felt protagonist. The 87% opined that role-playing improves the interest in the subject, but 8% preferred the traditional master class.

Conclusions:
Role-playing is a suitable tool for the study of Disability Assistance within the subject Public Health in Physiotherapy. Students consider that it facilitates participation and understanding of the subject and is useful for their learning.

Keywords:

Role-playing, Cooperative learning, Publi Health, Physiotherapy.