In today’s evolving educational space, where the learning environment may include students in a classroom or remote setting, soft skills training is extremely beneficial for your students. While simulation is common for hard skills training, it can also be used to practice soft skills or employability skills. A nursing educator and partner of Realityworks, Kasey Carlson, RN, MSN, M.Ed, discusses in this short video how simulation can benefit students’ learning and create a meaningful environment and train our future workers. Watch the video and keep reading for tips on how to simulate role play for an online learning environment.
Step 1: Set up
Kasey recommends using a live meeting platform so you can see your students faces and reactions. Encourage them to share their thoughts openly, either one by one or via group chat. If you can see their faces you can also ensure they’re participating, which reminds everyone that they’re part of a team – vital in an online learning environment.
Step 2: Implement
In the video, Kasey walks us through an example of a memorable soft skill simulation experience of unprofessionalism in the workplace.
She starts the scenario by asking students to picture themselves working in a fast-food restaurant when some co-workers want to play a prank on the new hire. Kasey walks us through each of the different perspectives: employees who think the prank is funny, employees who disagree with the prank, the manager and the newly hired employee. Pausing for reflection and discussion after each perspective allows students to see how one prank can be viewed four different ways.
Step 3: Debrief
Routine follow-up questions solidify any learning experience. In the video, Kasey shares some great post-simulation questions:
- How did you feel during role play?
- What did you think you did well?
- What would you change?
- Do you have a greater understanding of the impact of unprofessionalism in the workplace?
The key to soft skill training? Have students stop, think and reflect. This brief example provides valuable empathy, understanding, communication and critical thinking soft skill guidance.
Learn more
- Watch Kasey’s complete webinar, Designing Simulation-Based Lessons for High School Students
- Learn more about our soft skills training tools
- Access free guides on teaching soft skills and creating an engaging remote learning environment (including tips for facilitating role play for an online learning environment)
