Role Analysis is a powerful tool for assessment, educational planning, anddeveloping socially aware schools and classrooms. It removes labels of good and bad and instead looks at what roles (collections of behaviors) move us forward (toward our goals), keep us in the same place, or move us backwards. It can be used with individuals as well as groups.

Format: The workshop consists of didactic presentation, experiential activity, and discussion/processing. Participants will practice developing role descriptions of various personal, interpersonal and group roles and explore which roles support us in moving toward desired outcomes. Further exploration will focus on issues of role fatigue, role reciprocity or compatibility, and the need for role training.

Participants: This workshop is ideal for school staff, teachers, and/or students who wish to explore, perhaps in a new way, how to create more effective, efficient, and user-friendly educational environments. For school boards or university departments, it can serve in situations in which certain key personnel are leaving or being re-assigned. It is an ideal instrument for board development as well.

Learning Outcomes – Participants will be able to:

• list the categories and sub-categories used in role analysis;
• develop role descriptions from written and live-action scenarios;
• describe how to conduct a role analysis; and
• explain educational objectives in terms of role training and role transformation.

Logistics: This workshop is offered as a half day (3-4 hours) or full day workshop with 6-7 hours of workshop time book-ended around a lunch break. Time is adjustable. Space needs include a room with movable chairs and large enough to accommodate the people involved. Tables off to the side and a blackboard or whiteboard are needed.