ERAS: An Experiential Role-Playing Aging Simulation

This paper describes the design and development of ERAS, an experiential role-playing aging simulation. This web-based tool was designed for psychology students to engage in a role-playing experience that serves to increase individuals’ empathy toward the elderly, as they learn about aging. In ERAS, the learners take on the role of aging individuals. The aging individuals vary in their ethnicity and ages. Successful completion of the scenarios requires the learners to perform a series of role-playing and perspective-taking activities related to the daily life of the aging individual. In this paper, we described the contextual framework, design, development, and review processes. The paper also provides a reflection on the successes and challenges experienced by the design team. Overall, the paper discusses the critical design elements and decisions made by the team.