The Role of the Administrator in Experiential Learning and Simulations

Abstract

In experiential learning materials and in simulations, the nature of the materials, the objectives of the administrator, and the personality of all the characters involved force the administrator to play a role throughout the experience. An examination of previous research and a collection of personal experiences reveal that these roles can be appropriately labeled the “ADMINISTRATOR”, the “CONSULTANT”, the “EVALUATOR”, the “PARTICIPANT”, the “FACILITATOR”, the “PRESIDENT”, the “OBSERVER”, and the “PRESENCE”. In any given experiential exercise or simulation, the instructor may play several of these roles, creating a composite role with one or more of the roles having a significant impact on the results of the experience. This, however, is the important point: that the role of the instructor, while originally affected by the simulation or experience and the nature and goals of the material, in turn affects the outcomes.