This article highlights aspects of the Role Playing Game (RPG), which make an important procedure in terms of research on Qualitative Research in Distance Education (in this case, Mathematics Education). This game was used in a research (ROSA, 2008) that studied the relations between the construction of online identities and teaching and learning of the concept of Definite Integral (concept of Differential and Integral Calculus) in a distance course. Thus, from this investigation that used the RPG (which was played from distance, through chat) as the procedure of data collection, we discuss the inclusion of this game as a methodological procedure of research in Distance Mathematics Education and we characterize how this process connects to Qualitative Research issues in this new scenario: cyberspace. Therefore, we assume that to adopt the RPG as a research procedure favors both the researcher and the subjects investigated in terms of showing themselves as "different" even though "the same" (ROSA, 2008) and this enhances the production of mathematical knowledge as well as the analysis of actions and educational possibilities glimpsed by being online that presents itself in the natural environment presented. Also, we point to the adoption of the RPG as a factor that pushes and extends the poststructuralist conception of education which, in virtual environments, are increasingly emphasizing and establishing a range of research that makes this amazing and imaginative space a natural environment research.
Role Playing Game; qualitative research methodology; Distance Education; Mathematics Education
