Teaching Note—Using Simulation to Teach Advanced Competencies in Mindfulness to Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

This teaching note describes one example of a shift from content to competence in a graduate MSW course teaching advanced mindfulness complex practice behaviors and skills for use in direct practice. The development of advanced mindfulness competencies and skills provides a conceptual base o shift teaching from lengthy lectures to experiential learning. Simulation-based learning and aspects of the objective standard clinical examination adapted for social work are used as a base for a summative evaluation in which students demonstrate their skill level through interviews with simulated clients. The final assignment, a transcription and analysis of segments of the interview demonstrating the advanced complex practice behaviors, is discussed in individual student–instructor interviews. Opportunities, challenges, and implications for social work education are presented.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ellen Katz

Ellen Katz is assistant professor at the University of Toronto.