Reflexivity of Roles and Rules in Role Based E-learning

Role based e-learning is becoming popular as part of the pedagogical arsenal of the constructivist paradigm that puts emphasis on learning by doing in collaborative environments that include simulations, games and role plays. This paper examines and delineates two dimensions of role-based e-learning, the significance of role and the significance of rules, for the design of online learning environments and their implications in meeting educational objectives. The paper defines the differences between simulations, games and role plays and argues that to be effective in meeting educational objectives role based e-learning must carefully consider what I will call the reflexivity of roles and the relations between game rules and social rules