This paper describes the design and integration of Third Space, an innovative computer mediated learning environment, in a couples therapy course for second year students in a MSW program. While most computer mediated teaching is used in distance education, we developed a web-based program to supplement the teaching of clinical skills in a traditional classroom. The Third Space web-based learning environment was developed to simulate couples therapy supervision by adding functionalities to a traditional bulletin board to enable student and instructors to view videotaped role-plays on the web and engage in online discussions about the role-plays. The effectiveness of this learning environment was evaluated with questionnaires and focus groups.

Third Space: A Web-Based Learning Environment for Teaching Advanced Clinical Practice Skills

Teaching qualitative methods to students has become more frequent in social work programs. The use of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software has also increased. Improper use of these ...

A dual instructional model for computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software integrating faculty member and specialized instructor: Implementation, reflections, and recommendations

Social work educators are increasingly using advanced information technologies in their distance education programs. Despite the widespread use of distance learning in social work education, there is limited information available regarding the effectiveness of courses, particularly practice courses, that use these technologies or the experiences of the students and instructors who are helping to pioneer these technological initiatives. This article presents reflections from students from two MSW practice classes linked together through interactive TV, also known as compressed video. The authors, who were course instructors using this technology, present their reflections on the process and make recommendations for future distance learning courses.

Carole Olson

Papers

Distance Education: The Experiences of Students and Instructors in Delivering a Social Work Practice Course via Interactive TV