Role, play, and games: Comparison between role-playing games and role-play in education

Abstract

This article compares educational role-play and role-playing games in education by examining their definition, similarities in their elements, differences current use, implication of the elements of educational role-play and role-playing games, along with phenomenon unique to role-playing activities shared by both. This article will also outline how elements of educational role-play and role-playing games can aid in implementation of transformative learning, along with precautions and special attention that must be taken to conduct a role-playing activity in education.

Keywords

• Role-playing game
• Role-play
• Educational games
• Active learning