Evaluation of an Active Learning Teaching Method for Field Instructor Training

Abstract

Social work field educators continue to identify and construct helpful training structures and methods to enhance the knowledge and skills of field instructors. This article describes and evaluates selected active learning teaching methods based on adult learning theory as an approach for engaging field instructors during training seminars. Twenty-two field instructors participated in a four-hour training session in which small and large group discussion, cases, role play, peer teaching, minute papers, and resource guides were used. Methods of evaluation included a field instructor self-evaluation, presenter self-evaluation, and objective outside observer evaluations. Active learning methods were perceived to promote feelings of high productivity, high involvement and high safety for participation among field instructors.