Activating Adult-Learning Principles Through Small Groups in Preparing Social Work Students to Achieve CSWE Research Competencies

Abstract

The research classroom is a prime venue for socializing master’s-level students as evidence-based practitioners. This article identifies an innovative approach to teaching research based on five adult-learning principles and the use of small ongoing groups that, when blended as the signature pedagogy, enable students to successfully actualize the Council on Social Work Education Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards required for professional practice. The article describes and discusses the five adult-learning principles that form the basis of this approach and four types of small-group activities that are used over the yearlong course, concluding with implications for reorganizing the traditional research classroom.

KEYWORDS:

• teaching research
• CSWE competencies
• groups in research class