Reflections on Role Play

Roleplay

For the role play, we were given a scenario where one person has learnt some new technology and tricks that they would like to share with the team. One of the colleagues in the scenario was very negative and resistant towards taking on new ideas and the others in the team had to deal with his objections by asking questions to find out what the issues were and offer advice on how to deal with the situation constructively.

In response to this task, we used “blogs” as the suggested technology. We constructed a range of concerns which were put forward by a reluctant lecturer and provided responses that would hopefully address his concerns. Rather than asking questions to flesh out the resistant person’s concerns we tried to address the concerns he raised directly.

Script:

· Blogs are a waste of time, uncomplicated and unnecessary. Have been teaching on the board and doing work perfectly fine and the feedback from students has been good.

Response discussed benefits of using modern practices, keeping up to date with the way students are learning and relating to where students are today and the way they are learning information. (This is consistent with findings I have learnt from my course in e-learning (cw))

This is the usual “resistance to change” attitude displayed when a new concept is introduced. A colourful presentation on the use of blogs in the learning environment will be carried out.


· I don’t have time to waste learning new technology.

Discussed how more time needed up front, but that the you then have the opportunity to sit back and act more as a guide, where the students can take charge of their own learning, which can be empowering for the students. (This is consistent with findings I have learnt from my course in e-learning (cw))

The modern student uses technology everyday (ipods, iphones, mp3 players, Playstation, Wii, You-tube, internet etc etc ) and have access to the new technology. As learning providers we have no option but to learn and use the new technology.


· I don’t think people will participate.

Discussed how to use the software and the value of demonstrating how to participate. Mentioned how asynchronous communication allows time to reflect and that it may draw out quieter members in the group to participate, which may not be the case in a traditional class environment. (This is consistent with findings I have learnt from my course in e-learning (cw))
We also pointed out that research has shown that people often view the discussions without leaving a post or contribution. This shows that they are participating – they don’t need to contribute to the discussion to gain learning from it.


· Won’t be able to control what is written on the blog.

Discussed how ground rules can be put in place and how who is invited to the group can be controlled. Others put forward these responses (consistent with e- what I have learnt about controls put in place for online groups from e-learning course)
Control systems will be put in place- For example all comments will be moderated before they are published.
Moderating all comments may be time consuming. Agreed upon ground rules can help to set the scene for a supportive learning environment. Also not allowing anonymous contributions can help maintain this environment as contributors are accountable for their comments.


· Some may not be able to use it, particularly the older ones.

Not sure what was said…I do recall all our responses being appropriate however! If anyone recalls, then please feel free to add your comments.

The response may have been to do with working with all levels in the classroom and making it suitable for their level and learning.

Appropriate Training on e-technology will be provided to all learners. With the right support and encouragement older learners are willing to participate and be part of the team.

If we think about the skills we want our graduates to have, this would include being able to use learning technology. There is also extra support available to improve computer literacy if needed through learning support.


· What are the advantages of doing things this way?

Sold advantages of utilising blog. Deeper level of reflection, contemporary way of learning.
Ease of access- blogs are web-based and are available to everybody with internet access. Leaning is not restricted to the standard “school times”- discussions/learning can be done anytime (24/7!)

From what I recall, everything that was said was consistent with what I have read about through doing my course on e-learning and this certificate course over the last two semesters. From what I understand, we are supposed to reflect upon both theory and our own practice of teaching. I believe we all did that to come up with appropriate responses to address the lecturers concerns.

Kylie’s response:

This was an interesting dilemma to produce a role play on as I have often felt like the negative person myself when a new technological advance is offered for us to use – I often feel that if its (teaching) not broken then why fix it? But through the duration of this course and discussion with peers it has melted my resolve a little! I think we all need to try new techniques to improve our teaching so long as we are not forgetting the learner along the way – as with some of the new initiatives are far more advanced than some of our students are ready for. My view is that as long as we are working with the best interests of our learners in mind and can facilitate a learning environment that is inclusive of all levels then we are on the right track.

Anita’s response:

If the use of new technology was audited, and shown to be better for students’ learning, it would be more persuasive for those who don’t see the need for it.
I can understand Lecturers being resistant because of time pressures, seeing the big workloads many carry. Ideally, time should be given for training to use new technology, with some tasks being delegated to others so that a Lecturer doesn’t have to do this training on top of his/her workload.
I guess that technology has a way of carrying people along with it. We can try to ignore it, but this can be detrimental to us. For example, catalogues in libraries used to consist of cards in wooden drawers. If you can’t use a computer catalogue these days, you won’t be able to find information in the library by yourself. My point is, that resistance may be futile, and disadvantage us.
On the other hand, we don’t want to be using technology for the sake of it.

Kylie wrote “My view is that as long as we are working with the best interests of our learners in mind and can facilitate a learning environment that is inclusive of all levels then we are on the right track.”
This is the resolution to the various points raised by the role play, in my opinion.
One last point – as a nurse, I do my best to use evidence based practice. This concept should relate to teaching methods, also. Otherwise, we can only assume that our use of new technology will benefit students in the long term.

Kate’s reflection (using Gibbs model)

What happened – as discussed above

Thinking and Feeling - I was quite nervous about doing this role play, as a group we discussed the positive and negative aspects and opinions of blended learning but we didn’t really have a script or even decide who was going to play which role until very close to the time we presented. When we presented our role play the whole thing flowed really well and we managed to make all the points we had discussed.

Good and Bad points – There were not any real bad points (except the data was wiped so no copy). Good points were definitely the outcome, feeling that we had presented all the points we wanted to, and to realise how much I have learnt through doing this paper.
Analysis and conclusion– In a short space of time our group was able to come up with a role play and present it to others, the role play highlighted the positive and negative views of blended learning techniques. It worked well and was a good way of presenting a lot of information that we have learnt through doing this design and delivery paper.

Action plan – In future I will feel more confident in debating this issue. I may also use this technique in my Teaching as a way of students summarising in their own way the information that they have learnt – this is an example of concepts we have discussed throughout this course such as ‘I do and I understand’ as well as ‘students remember 95% of what they teach others’