ROLE PLAYING IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION: BLACK MIRROR AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURISTIC SCENARIOS

Abstract

This work aims to present an experience of applying an active learning methodology, carried out with students of an Engineering course. A proposal was prepared that sought to lead students to reflect on the creation of products in future scenarios. For this, role playing was adopted which, using drama techniques, intends to promote learning by stimulating critical thinking. Each student team prospectively created a new product, wrote a report, and presented the completed project to the board of directors of the company for which they were working on the proposed role play. The products developed had, as a mandatory reference, one of the corporations featured in specific episodes of the British series Black Mirror, available on Netflix. During the process, the teams needed to adopt an analytical and critical stance on current technologies and possible future development and improve their arguments in the face of the board's questions. In the end, students made a comprehensive assessment of the learning process. In addition to looking at current and relevant topics for future engineers, it was found that it was possible to promote the improvement of skills such as teamwork, communicative skills, and critical thinking.