Improving Students' Attitudes Toward the Elderly Through a Role-Playing Learning Experience: A Design Case

• In Event: 66.087 - MTCC Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: 66.087-9 - Designing for Deep Learning

Abstract

This paper describes the design and development of ERAS, an experiential role-playing aging simulation. This web-based tool was designed for psychology students to engage in a role-playing experience that serves to increase individuals’ empathy toward the elderly, as they learn about aging. In ERAS, the learners take on the role of aging individuals. Successful completion of the scenarios requires the learners to perform a series of role-playing and perspective-taking activities related to the daily life of the aging individual. In this paper, we described the contextual framework, design methods, and development processes. The paper also provides a reflection on the successes and challenges experienced by the design team.

Authors

• Enilda J. Romero-Hall, University of Tennessee

• Renee Patrick

• Gul Sahin, University of Tampa