Showing papers in "Journal of Teaching in Social Work in 2021"
TL;DR: In this article, Taylor et al. discuss and illustrate issues, challenges and strategies related to the interaction between the faculty and technology experts in the context of developing online courses and points to directions for future research.
Abstract: Similar to all academic disciplines, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in social work has grown exponentially in both scope and volume during recent decades. Until the COVID 19 crisis, main driving forces were the growing demand for higher education, constant evolving of innovative technologies, cost effectiveness, and accessibility that it offers to those who are not able to benefit from traditional face to face classes because of their geographic locations, responsibilities or disabilities. The Covid19 pandemic drove social work education to become almost exclusively and universally taught online. This required a quick conversion of tradition courses and development of new courses to be taught online. This article discusses and illustrates issues, challenges and strategies related to the interaction between the faculty and technology experts in the context of developing online courses and points to directions for future research. © 2021 Taylor & Francis.
6 citations
TL;DR: For example, this paper argued that social work students are required to take research methods courses because research-informed practice and practice-informed research are essential to professional practice, and that these students...
Abstract: Social work students are required to take research methods courses because research-informed practice and practice-informed research are essential to professional practice. However, these students ...
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of podcasting in the classroom is documented outside of social work education, and the authors propose a framework for teaching with technology with technology in the social work domain.
Abstract: Although pedagogical fundamentals of teaching with technology appear in the literature, the use of podcasting in the classroom is primarily documented outside of social work education. This study e...
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the findings of a survey of Master of Social Work students regarding their experiences during the abrupt transition from in-person to remote learning in March 2020, examining the impact through a change curve lens, the findings revealed that students moved through the change, going from shock and denial to acceptance of the new learning situation.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed social work educators to study its impact on social work students. This quantitative study presents the findings of a survey of Master of Social Work students regarding their experiences during the abrupt transition from in-person to remote learning in March 2020. Examining the impact through a change curve lens, the findings revealed that students moved through the change, going from shock and denial to acceptance of the new learning situation. The majority of students had both the technical skills and privacy they needed to learn. However, they did experience an increase in stress and struggled with maintaining concentration while attending remote classes, participating in class, and feeling a connection with students and faculty. They preferred synchronous content delivery and a combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery. Contributing to an emerging body of literature on the effects of COVID-19 on social work students, the findings from this study suggest that social work students are interested in incorporating remote learning into their education, and social work programs may need to adapt the delivery of their academic content. The findings also indicate a need for comprehensive institutional support to improve remote teaching methods and engage students in learning.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors outline how social work education fully endorses experiential learning through its field placement component, while experiencial teaching methods are only somewhat used in the classroom.
Abstract: Social work education fully endorses experiential learning through its field placement component, while experiential teaching methods are only somewhat used in the classroom. This article outlines ...
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the experience of the School of Social Work at King's University College, London, Ontario, in moving its undergraduate and graduate social work students to Remote Learning Plans (RLP) to enable the completion of hours required in their professional programs.
Abstract: It has been postulated that field education is the signature pedagogy of social work education. Practicums are paramount in assisting social work students to develop the unique skills and competencies required for professional practice. Traditionally, field education in social work has occurred within the context of social service agencies involving face-to-face interaction with service users and colleagues. The crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic compelled schools of social work to abandon established placements in favor of virtual or remote learning. This paper describes the experience of the School of Social Work at King’s University College, London, Ontario, in moving its undergraduate and graduate social work students to Remote Learning Plans (RLP) to enable the completion of hours required in their professional programs. The transition to remote learning plans not only modeled good social work practice but also reflected a student-centered approach to learning and teaching. In addition, the experience unearthed the possibilities that exist for field education in remote environments while still equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values required for social work practice.
3 citations
TL;DR: Although social workers are increasingly likely to encounter suicidal clients in their practice, many are under-prepared to address the issue of suicide, and significant deficiencies in suicide edu....
Abstract: Although social workers are increasingly likely to encounter suicidal clients in their practice, many are under-prepared to address the issue of suicide, and significant deficiencies in suicide edu...
3 citations
TL;DR: In March 2020, a national emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and social work programs rapidly responded by moving their courses online and shifting their training.
Abstract: In March 2020, a national emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with public health guidelines, social work programs rapidly responded by moving their courses online and...
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, 28 Latino social work graduate students were trained on Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT) through experiential learning, where they explored their self-pe...
Abstract: In this qualitative study, 28 Latino social work graduate students were trained on Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT) through experiential learning. The students explored their self-pe...
3 citations
TL;DR: Feminist identity, which allows those who support feminist ideals to establish themselves as being interested in reducing gender-based oppression, has been connected to increased commitment to equality as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Feminist identity, which allows those who support feminist ideals to establish themselves as being interested in reducing gender-based oppression, has been connected to increased commitment to coll...
3 citations
TL;DR: In February, 1942, two months after the Japanese military attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order (EO) 9066, authorizing the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese citizens.
Abstract: In February, 1942, two months after the Japanese military attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order (EO) 9066, authorizing the forced removal and incarceration of ...
TL;DR: The recognition of social work as a writing-intensive profession is the first step needed to bridge the divide between academic and practice writing as mentioned in this paper, and the demonstration of persuasive writing skills is a good way to bridge this divide.
Abstract: The recognition of social work as a writing-intensive profession is the first step needed to bridge the divide between academic and practice writing. The demonstration of persuasive writing skills ...
TL;DR: Despite the importance of field education in social work, there are situations when only a few social work educators are involved in supporting students in their field placements at the United Ara... as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Despite the importance of field education in social work, there are situations when only a few social work educators are involved in supporting students in their field placements. At the United Ara...
TL;DR: While direct client experience is the optimal environment for social work students to learn interviewing skills, vicarious learning, or learning through observing peers or an instructor in a simula....
Abstract: While direct client experience is the optimal environment for social work students to learn interviewing skills, vicarious learning, or learning through observing peers or an instructor in a simula...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present findings from a survey of social work instructors about their experiences during the abrupt transition from in-person to distance teaching in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract: Evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on higher education, specifically on social work education, is gradually emerging. While the empirical literature points to the effectiveness of delivering course content virtually, research on the impact of the abrupt, forced transition from in-person to distance teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. This quantitative study presents findings from a survey of social work instructors about their experiences during the abrupt transition from in-person to distance teaching in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings reveal that the sudden transition to distance teaching was perceived as stressful, required technological and emotional support, and workload adaptations from their institutions. The participants also reported that their worklife balance and attitudes toward distance teaching were positively affected by the change. Findings from this study also suggest the need for comprehensive institutional support to improve distance teaching methods, to prepare social work students to face the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to demonstrate that social work instructors see the benefits of online teaching and may be interested in continuing with it in the future.
TL;DR: Reflective practice emphasizes the importance of providing practitioners with opportunities to reflect on their work in order to manage the complexity of day-to-day practice as mentioned in this paper, which is a common theme in reflective practice.
Abstract: Reflective practice emphasizes the importance of providing practitioners with opportunities to reflect on their work in order to manage the complexity of day-to-day practice. This study found that ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors support the positive effects of mentorship programs on improving grades and retention rates for MSW students, with the rapid growth in online MSW programs, the need to provi...
Abstract: Much research exists to support the positive effects of mentorship programs on improving grades and retention rates for MSW students. With the rapid growth in online MSW programs, the need to provi...
TL;DR: This paper explored student and field instructors' perceptions of the most effective teaching practices during the transition to online teaching and found that students preferred asynchronous course content, such as recorded class lectures and discussion boards to live discussions and lectures because of its flexibility.
Abstract: Online education has shown consistent growth in social work curricula over the past two decades despite some questions about the effectiveness of virtual environments in teaching critical elements of social work practice and professional competency. With the COVID-19 pandemic, programs have been forced to exclusively utilize online teaching formats. This study explores student and field instructors’ perceptions of the most effective teaching practices during the transition to online teaching. Findings indicate that students preferred asynchronous course content, such as recorded class lectures and discussion boards to live discussions and lectures because of its flexibility. Students completing the practicum process observed significant disruption to traditional social work education, although both students and field supervisors adapted by allowing increased use of video conferencing and telephone practice. Findings indicate clear student preferences and could foster ways to improve e-learning in the future.
TL;DR: The social work profession is grounded in social justice, and yet, social work education can perpetuate dynamics of oppression and privilege present in the larger society as mentioned in this paper. As a result, students may...
Abstract: The social work profession is grounded in social justice, and yet, social work education can perpetuate dynamics of oppression and privilege present in the larger society. As a result, students may...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present evaluation data from an IPE poverty simulation event, where the goal was to introduce students to the importance of team-based decision-making in decision making.
Abstract: Interprofessional education (IPE) aims to introduce students to the importance of team-based decision making. This article presents evaluation data from an IPE poverty simulation event. The goals o...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the need for students to have transformative learning experiences in higher social work education, which is a defining characteristic of higher social welfare education, and this movement provides ample opportunity for students' having transformative learning experience.
Abstract: Competency-based education has become a defining characteristic of higher social work education. This movement provides ample opportunity for students to have transformative learning experiences th...
TL;DR: This paper explored the extent to which social workers cannot be racist and the detrimental effects of racism on social workers, and found that social workers tend to ignore race, racism, and sexism.
Abstract: When the phrase “Social workers cannot be racist” is used, there is not consideration of race, racism, and the detrimental effects of racism. This study includes an exploration of the extent to whi...
TL;DR: This article provided the observations of two MSW students and their instructor within the context of the global pandemic of COVID-19 in order to more closely examine how this pandemic impacted their learning and teaching experiences in the classroom with synchronous instruction.
Abstract: Social work programs are preparing professionals to respond to natural disasters and global pandemics when they arise. However, literature on the learning experiences of students in the social work classroom with synchronous instruction during a natural disaster or global pandemic is limited, as is documentation of the experiences of social work faculty. Further, seldom discussed in the literature are the personal and emotional reflections of students and social work faculty. This paper provides the observations of two MSW students and their instructor within the context of the global pandemic of COVID-19 in order to more closely examine how this pandemic impacted their learning and teaching experiences in the classroom with synchronous instruction. Lessons learned from the authors’ experiences are outlined in an effort to identify key components for educators and social work programs to consider during and after a natural disaster or global pandemic.
TL;DR: In the United States, rape culture is a prevalent phenomenon that has contributed to desensitization to scenes in popular media that might have been considered unacceptable in the past as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the United States, rape culture is a prevalent phenomenon that has contributed to desensitization to scenes in popular media that might have been considered unacceptable in the past. This paper ...
TL;DR: The two books under discussion, written by Dominique Moyse Steinberg and Jacqueline Corcoran, are particularly welcome within the current context of social work education as discussed by the authors. But they are not suitable for the general reader.
Abstract: The two books under discussion, written by Dominique Moyse Steinberg and Jacqueline Corcoran, are particularly welcome within the current context of social work education. Before commenting on the ...
TL;DR: The authors argued that systematic inquiry is an inherent part of social work practice and that despite this fact, social work students and practitioners continue to view research as difficult, intimidating and irrelevant, despite the fact that it is a natural part of their practice.
Abstract: Systematic inquiry is an inherent part of social work practice. Despite this fact, social work students and practitioners continue to view research as difficult, intimidating and irrelevant. This d...
TL;DR: In this article, an experiential exercise designed to introduce BSW students to working with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) is described. But little is known about how to prepare students to work with survivors.
Abstract: Little is known about preparing BSW students to work with intimate partner violence (IPV). This study describes an experiential exercise designed to introduce them to working with survivors of IPV....
TL;DR: Cultural competence and cultural humility dominate discourses on practice across difference within social work and other helping professions as mentioned in this paper. But despite their prominence, they remain contested construc-...
Abstract: Cultural competence and cultural humility dominate discourses on practice across difference within social work and other helping professions. Despite their prominence, they remain contested constru...
TL;DR: In this article, a doctoral level epistemology course in social work, the course design and the arts-based methods used to help students conceptualize and transform their ideas around epistemol...
Abstract: This paper discusses a doctoral level epistemology course in social work, the course design and the arts-based methods used to help students conceptualize and transform their ideas around epistemol...