ABSTRACT
There has been a call for social work programs to better prepare students for field education. This qualitative study examined an innovation titled Practice Fridays developed to enhance competence in MSW students in a classroom setting. Students (N=57) described what they learned through this simulation-based learning activity and the processes that facilitated their learning. Students reported an enhancement in knowledge, skills, professional judgment, and self-awareness, attributed to observed practice, focused feedback, and guided reflection. Findings suggest that holistic competence can be developed in the classroom when using holistic teaching methods. These findings support simulation as an innovative method of teaching holistic competence in the classroom to prepare students for field learning.
Acknowledgments
This project was supported by the Larry Enkin Toronto Simulation Fund.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Toula Kourgiantakis
Toula Kourgiantakis is Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream.
Marion Bogo
Marion Bogo is Professor.
Karen M. Sewell
Karen M. Sewell is Doctoral candidate.