Role-plays and case studies provide a student-centered engagement activity to help DECA members apply learning through problem-based activities that require creative solutions and practical outcomes. DECA’s role-plays and case studies challenge DECA members to demonstrate industry-relevant knowledge and skills through performance indicators, while also developing important 21st Century Skills – creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communications.
Each role-play and case study supports a specific career cluster and primary instructional area that is identified at the top of the first page of the event. DECA’s role-plays and case studies are developed through industry research to reflect current issues and trends in business and industry. The role-play and case study scenarios are connected to performance indicators – key concepts from national curriculum standards that students should learn during the school year. DECA members are challenged to develop a solution that incorporates the performance indicators relevant to the specific role-play or case study.
DECA uses seven lists of performance indicators – business administration core, business management and administration, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing and personal financial literacy. Each performance indicator list is arranged by instructional areas to assist advisors with planning units of instruction.
As you teach different instructional areas during the year, you can use corresponding role-plays and case studies as learning tools. While the traditional competitive event setting requires interaction with judges and specific timing, many advisors have used role-plays and case studies in a variety of instructional methods.
