Role Playing

In role playing scenarios, a participant assumes the role of an employee to practice job skills or behaviors in simulated work conditions. Role playing allows participants to interact with other people in managed situations so they can try different strategies and gain experience in a supportive environment. Role play activities are best for practicing listening skills and quick decision making. While they role play, participants demonstrate their current level of skill and can use instructor and peer feedback to improve their performance. Group discussions can produce additional responses or solutions, expanding the options available on the job. It is important to note that role play is not for everyone. Some participants may be uncomfortable acting in front of others, while others may find it too theatrical and may not take the exercise seriously. Also, there might not be enough time for all participants to take part in the activity, so the role play becomes a demonstration exercise for them.

Instructions

To conduct role playing activities:

  1. Identify the learning outcomes for the lesson.
  2. Craft or choose a scenario around this content.
  3. Explain the role play activity and your expectations.
  4. Introduce the problem and allow a 3–5 minutes for participants to discuss the relevant issues.
  5. Describe the workplace scenario, adding details to make it realistic.

Example

For his NHI “Instructor Development Course” training presentation, the “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives,” Eddie Curtis developed a role play activity with two scenarios to illustrate how people in the community respond to poor signal timing. The purpose of the activity was to help participants articulate the operations objectives for equitable distribution of green time and smooth flow at the intersection and network level in under-saturated conditions. Below are his instructor notes and the slides that support the activity.

  • Activity #1 introduction (figure 44)
  • Activity #1 role descriptions (figure 45)
  • Activity #1 intersection photo (figure 46)

Role Play #1 Set-up: Break the class in to pairs. One person is the driver, and the other person is the agency official that you meet at a dinner party, have the two roles introduce themselves. The agency person describes who they are and that they’ve just completed a signal retiming on the main street corridor that connects the driver’s neighborhood local road to Main Street. The instructor will provide a picture of an intersection with a red light. The driver will explain to the agency official why they are dissatisfied with the operation.

Based on the outcome of the discussion, using the flip chart, articulate the objective of equitable distribution of green time.

Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Title: role playing activity #1 Bullet: Scenario Sub bullet: dinner party/person #1 – traffic engineer / person #2 – neighbor Bullet: context Sub bullets: individual intersection – 4 leg intersection, side-street approach Network – local road to arterial Land use – residential to commercial Time of day – early AM Traffic conditions - light

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 44: Context slide for role playing activity #1 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
 
Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Title: role playing activity #1 Bullet: Scenario Sub bullet: dinner party/person #1 – traffic engineer / person #2 – neighbor Bullet: context Sub bullets: individual intersection – 4 leg intersection, side-street approach Network – local road to arterial Land use – residential to commercial Time of day – early AM Traffic conditions - light

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 45: Character slide for role playing activity #1 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
 
Image of red light at individual intersection – 4 leg intersection, side-street approach Network – local road to arterial Land use – residential to commercial Time of day – early AM Traffic conditions - light

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 46: Intersection photo for role playing activity #1 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
  • Activity #2 introduction (figure 47)
  • Activity #2 role descriptions (figure 48)
  • Activity #2 intersection photos (figures 49–51)

Role Play #2 Set-up: Break the class into pairs. One person is the driver the other person is the agency official that meet at a dinner party. Have the two roles introduce themselves, the agency person describes who they are and that they’ve just completed a signal retiming on the main street corridor that provides regional connectivity along the arterial. The instructor will provide three photos of consecutive intersections where the driver experiences red lights. The driver will explain to the agency official why they are dissatisfied with the operation.

Based on the outcome of the discussion, using the flip chart, articulate the objective of smooth flow.

Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Title: role playing activity #2 Bullet: Organize into groups of 2 to 3 people Bullet: Scenario: Sub bullet: diner party/ person #1 traffic engineer / person #2 – neighbor Bullet: Context: Sub bullets: network – arterial Land use -residential, commercial, retail Time of day – PM Traffic conditions – moderate

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 47: Context slide for role playing activity #2 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
 
Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Title: role playing activity #2 Bullet: Neighbors describe to the traffic engineer, what irritates them about the traffic signal operation Bullet: Engineer describes what the ideal operation based on context and neighbor’s expectation.

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 48: Character slide for role playing activity #1 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
 
Image Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Picture 1 of 3 consecutive intersections where the driver experiences red lights Context: network – arterial Land use -residential, commercial, retail Time of day – PM Traffic conditions – moderate

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 49: Intersection photo #1 for role playing activity #2 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives””
 
Image Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Picture 2 of 3 consecutive intersections where the driver experiences red lights Context: network – arterial Land use -residential, commercial, retail Time of day – PM Traffic conditions – moderate

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 50: Intersection photo #2 for role playing activity #2 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”
 
Image Slide from Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives presentation. Picture 3 of 3 consecutive intersections where the driver experiences red lights Context: network – arterial Land use -residential, commercial, retail Time of day – PM Traffic conditions – moderate

Source: Curtis (2019).

Figure 51: Intersection photo #3 for role playing activity #2 in “Influence of Context on Traffic Signal Operational Objectives”

Instructor-Led Training

Depending on the size of the group or the classroom layout, either conduct one role play activity for the whole group to observe or conduct several role play activities concurrently. To run more than one role play at a time, you can assign acting and observing roles to small groups of participants. Set a time limit for the first round, then ask the observers to provide feedback before the groups switch the acting and observing roles. After all participants have had a chance to participate, you can facilitate a whole group discussion on what they learned.

Web Conference Training

Depending on the web conference platform features, you can assign participants to breakout rooms. They can either use the platform’s video chat feature or a standalone app to record their performance as they assume their roles and act out the scenario. The groups can share their videos on the web conference platform for review and comment. You can hold a group discussion on the lessons learned and suggested solutions to the identified problem.