Jan. 13, 2026
Adam Watson: How to Use Role-Play to Increase Rigor (Not Just Engagement) in Learning
In this episode, I speak with Adam Watson about role-playing and gamification as serious instructional tools, not motivational add-ons.
We explore how well-designed role-play:
Shifts students from passive responders to active decision-makers
Lowers affective risk while increasing cognitive demand
Uses identity, narrative, and constraints to deepen reasoning
Supports academic discourse without overscripting language
This conversation reframes gamification as a cognitive access strategy—especially powerful in discussion-based, humanities, and problem-centered learning contexts.
Key takeaway:
If students are thinking as someone, not just answering as themselves, rigor goes up—not down.
Table-Top Role Playing Games in the Classroom Book
Music by Aylex