Experiential learning in generalist groups courses: skills and process of BSW and MSW students

ABSTRACT

Experiential learning provides a foundational understanding of the principles of group work. This qualitative study of majority female-identified, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students in both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs evaluated the experiences of student learning. Students facilitated groups, were tasked to observe, and evaluate their peers’ facilitation skills. Data were collected from observational feedback forms, and thematic analysis was used. The study’s results indicate that group courses were effective in students’ learning and understanding the power of group process, cohesion, inclusion, and facilitation skills. These skills included helping the group stay on track, providing feedback, and the use of confrontation, when necessary. In addition, the experiential groups had several unanticipated learning outcomes: a) students learned the importance of diversity and inclusion in groups, b) interventions have different outcomes for group members and c) the power of silence in group process skills.

KEYWORDS:

• Group therapy
• experiential learning
• mezzo social work practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).