Representación abstracta de la metodología participativa Simulación de roles. Se observan varias cajas con distintos grupos de personas interactuando, representando el proceso de construcción de escenarios, la toma de decisiones y el desarrollo de diálogos en equipo. La imagen simboliza la exploración de situaciones diversas a través de la simulación y la participación activa, fomentando el aprendizaje colaborativo y la resolución de problemas en contextos educativos, organizacionales y comunitarios.

Role Simulation

Role Simulation is a participatory activity in which participants, organized in small teams, develop and act out various scenarios based on a given situation. Through this activity, they explore different perspectives, analyze implications, and generate possible outcomes considering factors such as interests, conflicts, and negotiations.

Preparation

Define the purpose:
- Is the goal to explore conflicts, build empathy, or develop negotiation skills?
- Should participants reach a consensus or simply explore different possibilities?
Prepare the materials:
- Sheets or cards with the base scenario description.
- Information about the roles assigned to each participant.
- Optional: characterization items (colored scarves, name badges, role cards, etc.).
- Spaces for team work and scenario performance.
Set up the space:
- Ensure areas where teams can meet and discuss without interruptions.
- Designate a central space for presenting the simulated scenarios.
To run the activity virtually: Participants can use collaborative platforms to assign roles, structure scenarios, and present their simulations via videoconferencing or interactive boards.

Step-by-step instructions

Introduction and role assignment
- Explain the purpose of the simulation and how the activity will work.
- Divide participants into small teams (3–6 people per team).
- Provide each team with a base scenario containing key contextual information.
- Within each team, assign different roles with specific interests, motivations, and constraints.
Scenario development
- Each team works on creating a structured narrative, incorporating:
  - Key dialogues between characters.
  - Critical decisions to be made within the simulation.
  - Possible outcomes (at least two different ways the story could unfold).
Scenario presentation
- Each team presents its simulation to the group through a dramatization or reading of the dialogues.
- The rest of the participants observe and identify key points, relevant decisions, and consequences of the simulation.
Reflection and learning
- - Facilitate a group discussion with questions such as:
    - What were the main challenges in decision-making?
    - How did different interests and perspectives shape the narrative?
    - What strategies worked best for resolving the scenario?
    - How can the insights from this activity be applied to real-life situations?
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Recommendations

Define a clear purpose: Before designing the scenario, establish what learning or reflection you want it to generate for participants.
Include multiple perspectives: Make sure the scenarios are open enough to allow for different approaches and solutions.
Create believable characters and roles: To make the experience more realistic, assign roles with clear motivations and objectives.
Incorporate elements of uncertainty: Adding unexpected twists or external factors will keep participants engaged and foster creativity.
Use a flexible format: Allow participants to adapt the storyline or develop new branches based on their decisions.
Facilitate final reflection: After the exercise, guide participants to share their insights and compare approaches.
Use visual aids: Boards, diagrams, or context cards can help participants immerse themselves more fully in the scenario.
Balance structure and creativity: Provide clear guidelines but leave enough space for participants to innovate.
Test the scenario in advance: Before implementing it with a large group, run a pilot with a small team to fine-tune the details.

Inspiration

Types of scenarios that can be created:

Decision-making scenarios: Present situations where participants must choose between different options, each with distinct consequences.
Conflict resolution scenarios: Recreate situations where participants must negotiate, mediate, or find solutions to disagreements.
Crisis scenarios: Simulate high-pressure moments where teams must react and act under stress.
Innovation scenarios: Challenge teams to develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Strategic planning scenarios: Help visualize the future and anticipate opportunities or risks in projects or initiatives.
Social or community scenarios: Allow participants to analyze social dynamics, explore community issues, and design collective interventions.
Educational scenarios: Designed to reinforce the learning of concepts or skills through immersive experiences.
Ethical and moral dilemma scenarios: Challenge participants to reflect on complex ethical decisions across different contexts.
Organizational change scenarios: Simulate transformation processes within a company or institution to prepare teams.
Community-building scenarios: Facilitate connection among participants by creating collective stories and shared experiences.

Materials

Large sheets or whiteboards to outline the scenarios
Colored post-its to organize ideas and roles
Markers or pens
Cards or prompts with possible challenges or narrative twists
Devices with access to digital platforms (if working in a virtual format)
Clock or timer to keep track of each phase

Online platforms

Purpose

The purpose of this activity is to facilitate the analysis and understanding of complex situations through role-playing and scenario simulation. Through this activity, participants can explore different perspectives, enhance their negotiation and decision-making skills, and develop empathy by stepping into the shoes of various stakeholders within a given context. It also allows them to rehearse responses and strategies for real-world challenges, promoting learning through experimentation and collaboration.