Role play is a versatile and basic training technique in which few participants are asked to act out a realistic situation in order to meet learning objectives. Role playing is used for actually involving participants in life like situation where there are problems or conflicts. Role plays can simply involve two characters or multiple characters. Planning for role play requires that the situation be realistic and consistent with the overall learning objective of the training programme.
The advantage of role play is that the participants enjoy both acting out roles and watching others act them. Role play gives participants a chance to be creative, change attitudes, provide new information and energize a training session. The disadvantages are that role play requires much preparation by the trainee because role players have to be selected and told what to do. The trainer must also write and use discussion questions in order for the role play to produce learning. At times explaining and managing role play in the training situation can be difficult as the participants must know what is going on and the trainer must make sure of this part. Sometimes the interruptions during role play can be disturbing the learning process. Role plays are not usually effective for strengthening agricultural/ household skills.
If role play is to be selected as a training method then the role play should be written with a clear objective in mind. It should be ensured that at the end of role play the participants are able to understand the main theme of the message. A well-written role play should be formatted with clarity of message that is simple, realistic, believable, and interesting. Some degree of humour should be added so that participants enjoy the play. Simultaneously, the play should neither be too short or too lengthy to convey adequate message or it may lead to boredom. The educational and creative components should not be overlooked while using role play and the play should be so designed that participants enjoy the play in a relaxed manner.
Participants