Evaluation of learning abilities after role-playing method: Comparing outcomes of Active and Observer

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During a role-play simulation session, despite supporting observer learning, educators disagree about whether the learning outcomes of observers are like those of active participants. AIM: Evaluation of the degree of knowledge acquisition by these two types of learners during the same role-play session. METHODS: We carried out a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study to identify the learning outcomes among learners serving in observer (group 1) and active (group 2) roles during a role-play simulation session. RESULTS: The role play involved 29 learners. In both groups, 65% of learners improved their overall score. The median post-test score was significantly higher in both groups (p=0.0001). Likewise, learners in group 1 (p=0.023) and in group 2 (p=0.008) showed an improvement in the overall score in the within-group evaluation study. The between-group evaluation study showed no statistically significant difference in overall score improvement (p=0.58), number of learners improving (p=0.05) or percentage improvement (p=0.3). CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it is suggested that role-playing method is effective in achieving student-learning outcomes regardless of their status as active or observer.