This article provides best practices and examples for course creators who are creating a Role Play on Udemy Business.
- Learn how to create a Role Play for your custom course
Table of contents
- Where to include a Role Play
- Role Play title
- Role Play scenario
- Learner role
- AI character role
- Personality and background
- AI character’s first line
- Meeting title
- Meeting goals
Where to include a Role Play
Within your course, a Role Play should help reinforce key skills and align with learning objectives.
Best practices
- Include at least one Role Play exercise per course section.
- Ensure scenarios align with the skills learners are developing.
- Connect Role Plays to Learning Objectives
Examples
- Add a negotiation Role Play after a lecture on effective communication strategies.
- Include a leadership challenge Role Play in a course section on team management.
- Place a customer service Role Play after a module on conflict resolution techniques.
Role Play title
The Role Play title should highlight the key skills learners will practice and reflect real-world scenarios they will encounter.
Best practices
- Ensure the title is clear, specific, and aligned with learning objectives
- Focus on the skill(s) being practiced
- Make the title engaging and relevant
Examples
- Handling a Dissatisfied Customer’s Complaint
- Negotiating a Service Contract with a Budget-Conscious Client
- Resolving a Dispute Between Two Team Members Over Project Responsibilities
Role Play scenario
Presented as the Meeting Agenda to learners, the Role Play scenario should define the learner’s role, objectives, and the challenge they will face in an online meeting.
Best practices
- Ensure the scenario mirrors real-world challenges learners are likely to encounter.
- Provide sufficient context for meaningful decision-making during the online meeting.
- Clearly define the learner’s role and objectives.
- Include details about key characters, organizations, or settings as needed.
Example
“You’re a team lead in the marketing department. One of your team members, Jordan, has been missing deadlines for a key campaign, and these delays are affecting the entire team’s ability to stay on track. In this online meeting, you need to discuss the issue with Jordan, understand the root cause, and help them get back on track while maintaining their morale and motivation. Your objective is to identify solutions while keeping the conversation constructive.”
Learner role
The learner role should provide context for the Role Play setup, ensuring the scenario remains relevant and aligned with the intended learning outcomes.
Best practices
- The learner’s role should be clearly defined and closely aligned with the course’s learning objectives.
- Ensure the role reflects realistic, real-world situations that learners are likely to encounter in their jobs or daily lives.
Example
- Team lead in the marketing department at a mid-sized tech company
- Project manager in a software development company
- Sales executive in an e-commerce company
AI character role
The AI character role should complement the learner’s role, creating a meaningful interaction that helps them practice their skills.
Best practices
- The AI character’s role should offer a perspective that adds value to the learner’s experience.
- Make sure the role fits with the learning objectives and helps the learner stay engaged in the scenario.
Example
- Senior Project Manager at a tech company
- HR Manager at a mid-sized company
- Frustrated Client in a Consulting Firm
Personality and background
The AI character’s personality and background will help shape how the AI will respond and interact with the learner.
Best practices
- Provide enough context to help learners understand the AI character’s perspective and anticipate challenges.
- Keep the description concise (2-4 sentences) to provide enough context without overwhelming the learner.
- Focus on the character’s motivations, personality, and how they interact with others in the scenario.
Example
- “Jordan is a mid-level marketing associate who has been with the company for two years. They’re usually reliable but have recently struggled to balance multiple projects. Jordan is worried about their performance and values their reputation as a team player. They appreciate direct, constructive feedback and respond well to clear expectations”
- “Taylor is an experienced HR manager at a mid-sized company. They’re known for staying calm under pressure and taking a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to problems. Right now, they’re dealing with a long-time employee whose performance is slipping, and they’re feeling the pressure to handle it carefully. Taylor values team harmony and wants to address the issue without creating unnecessary tension.”
AI character’s first line
The AI character’s first line should establish the context of the scenario and create an immediate opportunity for the learner to dive into the interaction.
Best practices
- Align with the character’s personality and the scenario’s tone.
- Clearly introduce the situation and prompt the learner to engage and respond thoughtfully.
- The first line should feel natural and directly connected to the situation.
Example
- Jordan: “Hey, I got your message about wanting to talk. I know I’ve been a little behind lately, and I’m glad you reached out. How’s everything going on your end?”
- Taylor: “Thanks for meeting with me today. I’ve been thinking about the project delays and wanted to hear your thoughts on how we can get back on track. What’s your take on the situation?”
Meeting title
The meeting title should help both the learner and the AI character understand the focus of the role-play scenario.
Best practices
- Make the title specific and relevant to the scenario.
- Ensure the title clearly reflects the situation being simulated.
Examples
- “Performance Feedback Discussion”
- “Customer Support Call: Shipping Issue”
- “Team Meeting: Project Updates”
Meeting goals
Meeting goals should directly align with the learning objectives of the scenario and help assess the learner’s performance.
Best practices
- Align each goal to the course learning objectives and skills that learners are working on gaining.
- Make sure the goals are specific, actionable, and measurable.
Examples
- Ask at least three clarifying questions to gather key details about the issue before proposing a solution.
- Identify the customer’s primary concern and acknowledge their emotions within the first two responses.
- Offer a solution that is both realistic and tailored to the customer’s needs, while maintaining company policies.