Online Text-based Roleplay-Simulation: The Challenges Ahead

McLaughlan, RG; Kirkpatrick, D

Online Text-based Roleplay-Simulation: The Challenges Ahead

McLaughlan, RG

Kirkpatrick, D

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Publisher:: Simulation Industry Association of Australia (SIAA)
Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: Simulation - Fulfilling the Promise: Successes and Visions for the Road Ahead, Proceedings of SimTecT 2005 (Simulation Technology and Training Conference), 2005, pp. 1 - 4
Issue Date:: 2005-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	McLaughlan, RG https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9796-0988	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kirkpatrick, D	en_US
dc.contributor.editor	Becketts, P	en_US
dc.date	2005-05-09	en_US
dc.date.issued	2005-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Simulation - Fulfilling the Promise: Successes and Visions for the Road Ahead, Proceedings of SimTecT 2005 (Simulation Technology and Training Conference), 2005, pp. 1 - 4	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/7195
dc.description.abstract	Online Roleplay-Simulation has widely been shown to be an effective teaching and learning tool based on participant feedback. Central to achieving the desired learning outcomes from these activities is the way communication media is used within them. The communication media within online roleplay-simulation environments often include email, text chat, discussion forums (using bulletin boards) as well as Internet search tools. It has been recognized that these different forms of communication delivery are not neutral-they invoke or evoke particular kinds of learning behaviour. While electronic dialogue can support interactions such as information exchange, opinion and suggestions which are integral to such simulations it is less suited for communicating agreement and disagreement and for socialemotional tasks involving conflict and negotiation. A key feature of role-based learning is their experiential nature and the reliance upon reflection of actions within the activity. This presents a challenge for educators to design activities that use communication media effectively. During various stages of an online roleplay-simulation challenges arise in relation to online dialogue management, online tools for reflection, online socialization and supporting persona development and participant interaction. Some strategies that have been found to address these issues include using features of the online roleplay-simulation software to monitor participant interaction, promoting groupwork interactions and learning designs that consider the limitations of the available communication media and Internet access, creating activities which develop participant information literacy skills, and the appropriate use of blended learning to support activities which are constrained by the available communication media.	en_US
dc.publisher	Simulation Industry Association of Australia (SIAA)	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Simulation - Fulfilling the Promise: Successes and Visions for the Road Ahead, Proceedings of SimTecT 2005 (Simulation Technology and Training Conference)	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Simulation Technology and Training Conference	en_US
dc.title	Online Text-based Roleplay-Simulation: The Challenges Ahead	en_US
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.location	Sydney, Australia	en_US
utslib.location.activity	Sydney, Australia	en_US
utslib.for	0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing	en_US
dc.location.activity	Sydney, Australia	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.consider-herdc	true	en_US
pubs.place-of-publication	Sydney, Australia	en_US
pubs.start-date	2005-05-09	en_US

Abstract:

Online Roleplay-Simulation has widely been shown to be an effective teaching and learning tool based on participant feedback. Central to achieving the desired learning outcomes from these activities is the way communication media is used within them. The communication media within online roleplay-simulation environments often include email, text chat, discussion forums (using bulletin boards) as well as Internet search tools. It has been recognized that these different forms of communication delivery are not neutral-they invoke or evoke particular kinds of learning behaviour. While electronic dialogue can support interactions such as information exchange, opinion and suggestions which are integral to such simulations it is less suited for communicating agreement and disagreement and for socialemotional tasks involving conflict and negotiation. A key feature of role-based learning is their experiential nature and the reliance upon reflection of actions within the activity. This presents a challenge for educators to design activities that use communication media effectively. During various stages of an online roleplay-simulation challenges arise in relation to online dialogue management, online tools for reflection, online socialization and supporting persona development and participant interaction. Some strategies that have been found to address these issues include using features of the online roleplay-simulation software to monitor participant interaction, promoting groupwork interactions and learning designs that consider the limitations of the available communication media and Internet access, creating activities which develop participant information literacy skills, and the appropriate use of blended learning to support activities which are constrained by the available communication media.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/7195