The learning design involves five tasks. View the Learning Design Sequence for a graphical representation of the learning design.

Students firstly choose or are assigned a role. They then need to research the role and publish a role profile...

All resources are online. Of particular significance is a database that students can search to explore information about convicts and their crimes, maps, rations for the first two years, excerpts from journals of the time...

Comment from the Project Team...

Access to a searchable database is a kind of resource that impressed the evaluators of this learning design exemplar (when applying the project's Evaluation and Redevelopment Framework, ERF). They commented:

"Computer access to databases and links makes research easier and potentially provides students with a broader base of information and communication technology. This is excellent for the activity and allows potential for both individual and group interaction and feedback."

Support is provided in the form of moderator(s); team members; other learners ...

The design has been used a number of times in different formats: a one day workshop in a computer lab; over four weeks, meeting once per week...

To demonstrate: empathy with an historical figure and with life in another period of time; collaboration in portrayal of a role that is as historically accurate as possible...

Assessment can vary depending on the objectives...

Online role-play means that roles can be anonymous, sustained over a longer period and are less dependent on learners’ confidence in their acting ability...

The design is underpinned by theories of: enquiry learning, constructivism...

The inspiration arose from observing Andrew Vincent and John Shepherd when they were introducing the Middle East Politics role-play at The University of Melbourne in the early 1990’s...

The evaluation methods of the design include email logs, video interviews with students, open ended email survey, designer's ad hoc journal and external peer review via this AUTC Learning Designs Project...

A role-play is only successful if all students are active. The key to successful role-playing is a moderator that assists the students to go beyond mere play-acting to more sustained deep thinking about the problem and the role....