Technology Integration 101 – Role-Play or Anchored Instruction Method Of Teaching …

requires putting the learners in the context of a problem-based story. The learners “play” an authentic role while investigating a specified problem, identifying gaps to their knowledge, researching the information needed to solve the problem, and developing solutions. Role-play methods provide an environment where learning is contextualized. Learners are put into realistic roles that enhance transferability of knowledge. The teacher facilitates and coaches the learners through the process.

Definition / Attributes***: Anchored Instruction

Learning and teaching activities are designed around an “anchor” which is based on a contextualized case study or problem situation. The supporting curriculum materials prompt learners to explore (e.g., interact with subject matter within the contextualized case scenario) allowing them to actively manipulate information identified in the case environment, question data and assumptions, and engage in the situation.
Principles of role-play or anchored instruction include: engagement in a realistic task or event, problem is anchored or focused; learners take ownership (based on relevancy of scenario and relatedness to problems and goals seen everyday); deep development of knowledge structures, new knowledge is highly transferable to other situations; complex content, solved through interconnectedness of sub-problems, multiple scenarios are presented, problem presented in a narrative format, a story with ‘rich’ embedded data; learning context is generative / active, learners identify with problems and become actively involved in generating solution.
***Principles: Adapted from Anchored Instruction (John Bransford & the CTGV, 1990)