Designing Class Activities to Meet Specific Core Training Competencies: A Developmental Approach

Abstract

This article presents a developmental model for designing and utilizing class activities to meet specific Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) core training competencies for group workers. A review of the relevant literature about teaching group work and meeting core training standards is provided. The authors suggest a process by which educators may review and assess the degree to which their programs and individual courses are meeting the core training competencies. This framework also serves to guide instructors in selecting a repertoire of class activities and assignments that maximize learning and address multiple knowledge and skill objectives. Carefully selected didactic, observation, and experiential components work together across the beginning, middle, and ending stages of class (group) development to address and reinforce the competencies. Additional recommendations and suggestions are provided for instructors seeking to evaluate and enhance their group courses.

Keywords:

• group
• training
• teaching
• counselor education
• standards

Notes

Lorraine J. Guth is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Kelly A. McDonnell is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University.