About Brave Education

The Research
Behind Brave

Evidence informed.
Experience driven.

CASEL:

Evidence Behind Effective SEL

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identifies several practices that strengthen social-emotional learning. Rather than simply telling students what to do, effective programs give learners opportunities to:

  • Practice new skills
  • Apply them in realistic situations
  • Receive feedback
  • Reflect on their experiences

Brave brings these practices to life through scenario-based workshops where participants actively rehearse real situations—not just talk about them.

Instructional Strategy:

Why We Prioritize Role-Play

Kaygisiz and Akar identify role-play as an instructional strategy that helps learners develop skills through active participation beyond what lectures alone can offer. This is why role-play is at the centre of every Brave workshop. Our goal isn’t simply to share information—it’s to help participants practice the skills they’ll use every day.

Studies have found that role-playing can improve:

  • Communication skills
  • Perspective-taking and empathy
  • Problem solving
  • Student engagement
  • Confidence in challenging situations
  • Applying knowledge to real-life interactions
Research foundation

Kaygisiz, S., & Akar, H. (2025). Role-Playing as an Instructional Technique in English as a Foreign Language and English as a Second Language Settings: A Systematic Review.

Available through ERIC: Role-Playing as an Instructional Technique: A Systematic Review.

Experiential Learning Theory:

How We Maximize Role-Play

Educational researcher David Kolb proposed the experiential learning theory. Rather than memorizing strategies, Brave workshops build participant confidence by guiding them through a natural role-play process:

  • 1
    Experience a realistic situation
  • 2
    Reflect on what happened
  • 3
    Consider alternative responses
  • 4
    Practice those new responses in a supportive environment
Research foundation

Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development.

A helpful overview of Kolb’s learning cycle is available through Toronto Metropolitan University: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle.

SAFE Method:

How We Structure Role-Play

Durlak and colleagues identified four practices that help make social-emotional learning effective. Meaningful SEL requires more than teaching concepts—Brave follows the SAFE method to provide students opportunities to practise and apply skills.

  • Sequenced: Our skills are introduced step by step, building from foundational concepts to more complex learning.

  • Active: Our workshops keep participants engaged through discussion, interaction, and hands-on practice.

  • Focused: Each workshop concentrates on one key skill while connecting it to broader social-emotional learning.

  • Explicit: Our skills are taught clearly through explanation, demonstration, guided practice, and repetition.

Research foundation

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions.