Role Engagement and Anonymity in Synchronous Online Role Play

Autor/inn/en	Cornelius, Sarah; Gordon, Carole; Harris, Margaret
Titel	Role Engagement and Anonymity in Synchronous Online Role Play
Quelle	In: International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12 (2011) 5, S.57-73 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1492-3831
Schlagwörter	Role Playing; Computer Mediated Communication; Online Courses; Adult Education; Interviews; Program Effectiveness; Teaching Methods; Synchronous Communication; Electronic Learning; Electronic Mail; Web 2.0 Technologies; Case Studies; Educational Technology + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Rollenspiel; Computerkonferenz; Online course; Online-Kurs; Adult; Adults; Education; Adult basic education; Adult training; Erwachsenenbildung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Elektronischer Briefkasten; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Unterrichtsmedien
Abstract	Role play activities provide opportunities for learners to adopt unfamiliar roles, engage in interactions with others, and get involved in realistic tasks. They are often recommended to foster the development of soft skills and a wider perspective of the world. Such activities are widely used as an online teaching approach, with examples ranging from the simple use of email to the employment of virtual worlds and Web 2.0 technologies. This paper provides a case study of a role play activity which employs real-time anonymous discussion forums and aims to improve our understanding of effective role play and the impact of anonymity. This role play has been effective in educating learners about different perspectives on the issue of Quality in Further Education. The context and implementation of the role play are outlined, and the learners' interactions and experiences are explored using an investigative analysis of discussion transcripts and semi-structured interviews with participants. The findings suggest that role engagement and anonymity are important components for success in synchronous online role play. Evidence is presented that provides an insight into the factors which encourage role engagement, including prior experiences and contributions from peers. The impact of anonymity is also explored since many participants did not regard the study environment as real and attempted to identify their peers. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Athabasca University. 1200, 10011 - 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-421-2536; Fax: 780-497-3416; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10