MODELLING ROLE-PLAYING GAME AS A UNIT OF LEARNING TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATIVE LEARNING Laura Mancera 1, , Silvia Baldiris 1 , Ramon Fabregat 1 and David Huerva 1 , 1 Institute of Informatics and Applications (IIiA), University of Girona, Spain {lmancera, baldiris, ramon, huerva}@eia.udg.edu Abstract. Nowadays, society needs professionals with more capabilities, who are able to face the new challenges of the world. Colleges must refocus their teaching process in order to develop student competences and talents. This is a new paradigm of teaching, which may be able to be implemented through the use of cooperative learning procedures. Considering that using open e-learning platforms as tools to support the learning process has become an international tendency, we are focusing on how to incorporate cooperative learning in a virtual environment. In this paper, we propose to use role-playing games as a strategy that encourages the cooperative learning supported by IMS Learning Design. This specification supports the implementation of a large variety of instructional theories using the analogy of a play. Keywords: Cooperative learning, Virtual environment, IMS Learning Design, Role-playing Game. 1 Introduction A new paradigm in college teaching is taking place because teamwork, social skills, planning, communication, among others, are professional competences highly valued nowadays. In this context, the only way that colleges can follow to develop these competences on the students is using cooperative learning procedures. The games applied in the classroom have become a well-accepted proposal among the students and professors [4, 5, and 6]. The Role-playing Game (RPG) is a type of cooperative game play that promotes creativity and teamwork specifically. Technological innovation has enabled the development of virtual environments that today is an expanding field of research. The base of many of these environments is the creation of virtual learning communities, which the users interact through collaborative activities. This topic is been the object of further study to guarantee the success in the professional development process, therefore to support the teacher practice. We propose to use role-playing games as a strategy that encourages the cooperative learning supported by IMS Learning Design since this specification is centered in the user and allows implementing a large variety of instructional sceneries.