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FAQs

TEACHERS

HOW DOES VOXPOP WORK?

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

HOW LONG DOES A ROLE-PLAY TAKE?

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. 

HOW MUCH SET-UP & PREP IS REQUIRED?

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

HOW MUCH DOES VOXPOP COST?

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

WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS?

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. 

WHAT DOES A VOXPOP ROLE-PLAY LOOK LIKE?

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

IS VOXPOP SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH?

 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

WHAT CONTENT IS AVAILABLE?

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​

WHY VOXPOP?

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!

WHO CREATED VOXPOP?

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. 

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