A teacher uses a laptop or desktop computer to guide students through the role-play, playing videos on a Smartboard or projector, asking questions, leading discussion and calling votes.

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Each role-play includes:

• A class screen/projection that delivers historical context, tracks voting and guides play.

• Facilitator controls that help the teacher guide the session.

• Player screens that provide students with a bio, key info, and buttons to cast votes.

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For more details about using VOXPOP in your classroom, visit: TEACH WITH VOXPOP

In person, you can run a role-play in a one-hour class period, or split over two 40-minute periods. If you're running VOXPOP remotely, we recommend budgeting a little more time because students have to be sorted into breakout rooms. 

One role-play will require about 10-15 minutes of prep by a teacher: reviewing a guide about running VOXPOP, and setting up a session.  Everything needed to get up and running quickly is part of the information included with the overview and getting started package provided by VOXPOP. This is designed to be a convenient addition to the classroom with little to no technical set-up required by educators. 

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To get more information on each scenario, visit the library and select a specific role-play: ROLE-PLAYS

VOXPOP is free for teachers to use! This is possible thanks to an ED/IES SBIR grant from the federal government.

VOXPOP works on any device with a browser (ideally Google Chrome or Firefox) and internet connection. Teachers access the role-plays via the web and use a Smartboard or projector to facilitate the experience. Every student works with their own tablet, laptop or internet-enabled device.  

Requirements: Internet access, Smartboard/projector, and internet-enabled devices (PCs/Tablets/Phones).  The simulations are delivered to teachers using secure URLs. 

As students log in, the VOXPOP software divides them into several groups, e.g. Activists, Concerned Citizens, Public Officials, and Scientists in the AIDS Crisis role-play. Students use their laptops or tablets to view their unique bios, details about their groups, and the information they need at each stage of the role-play.

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Each individual role-play is divided into several phases:

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Welcome - Introduction to VOXPOP, historical background.

Values ​- Groups discuss their values and share their perspective with the town hall.

Issues ​- Overview of the three main issues causing the crisis.

Compromise ​- Committees vote on one proposal to send to a town hall vote.

Vote - Final town hall debate and vote on each proposal.

What Happened ​- An overview of what really happened.

Discussion ​- A facilitated discussion about the different viewpoints and how the crisis relates to contemporary issues.

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For a visual walkthrough of each phase in a VOXPOP role-play check out WHAT HAPPENS IN A VOXPOP ROLE-PLAY

 From 2018-2021, VOXPOP conducted a study on usability and learning outcomes with researchers from NYU. 

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To learn more, visit RESEARCH

VOXPOP is developing several role-plays on a range of topics and historical moments inspired by the AP U.S. History curriculum, Common Core history and social studies standards, and state curricula. This core set of role-plays is available to teachers for free.

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Check out the list of role-plays here: ROLE-PLAYS​

Role-playing experiences give students a chance to augment their civic knowledge and apply important "Four C 21st Century Skills" of Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity. Students share knowledge and collaborate to create a more complete understanding of a historical moment. VOXPOP provides a valuable opportunity to debate ideas and develop critical thinking skills in a safe environment, which are vital skills in civic literacy and in interpersonal interactions both in and out of the classroom. 

​Also, not to be forgotten, VOXPOP is fun!

VOXPOP was created by Gigantic Mechanic through a 2019 ED/IES SBIR Award. Gigantic Mechanic has been building playful live-action experiences for schools, museums and companies for over 10 years.