Center for Excellence in Teaching
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Framing scenario-based assignments as consulting activities can help students apply course concepts to real-world problems. Positioning students as experts invited to analyze a situation encourages them to think critically, justify their reasoning, and propose a thoughtful approach or solution.
Steps to implement consultant-style scenario activities:
- Develop a realistic scenario connected to your course content where a person, organization, or community faces a real problem or challenge.
- Position students as consultants who have been asked to analyze the situation and recommend a path forward, and let them know there is no single right solution.
- Ask students to draw specifically on course concepts and materials to explain what might be causing the issue or shaping the situation.
- Have students propose a strategy, plan, or set of actions that could address the problem, justifying their recommendations with reasoning, evidence, or relevant frameworks from the course.
- When grading the activity, use a clear rubric that evaluates the strengths of students’ analysis, application of course ideas, and clarity of their proposed solution.
References
Cook‐Sather, A. (2011) Layered learning: Student consultants deepening classroom and life lessons. Educational Action Research, 19(1), 41-57. USC Libraries link.
Löfstrand, P., & Zakrisson, I. (2025). Exploring the impact of role-playing exercises on cognitive and emotional processes: a social- and educational psychological perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1645213. USC Libraries link.
Pettenger, M., West, D., & Young, N. (2014). Assessing the impact of role-play simulations on learning in Canadian and US classrooms. International Studies Perspectives, 15(4), 491-508. USC Libraries link.