Role-playing planning public inquiries

In the UK and elsewhere, planning public inquiries are held to allow public debate when there is concern over a land development decision. Using the format of the inquiry provides geography students, usually working in teams, with the opportunity to investigate an environmental issue from a particular point of view and then to present their case as an oral presentation and a written report. Students have to take responsibility for managing the project, collecting supporting information and preparing their presentation. The format therefore allows the delivery of part of a geography curriculum as well as the development of key skills in a non-didactic setting. Experience shows that students greatly enjoy working within this non-standard format, and are highly motivated to produce good performances at the 'inquiry'.