Building Innovative Learning
Environments for Practice
Goal: Develop, test, and disseminate innovative educational
methods for social work practice
Objective: Develop a Learning Lab for simulation-based learning and assessment of educational
outcomes for competency in social work and related professions
- Support development of methods to teach and assess learning through use of simulation in courses in the Masters Program and in Continuing Education
"I distinctly remember my first week of classes at the Faculty. One of the professors talked about a basic tenet of social work practice: “start where the client is.” That continues to be something that I reflect on today because I am working with families from so many different backgrounds. My experience as a student at the Faculty provided me with valuable training across a number of clinical areas – from direct counselling to family mediation and family counselling – and in academic perspective and analysis. For the practicum, one of my placements was at the Hospital for Sick Children—an experience that led me to want to work at the hospital. I’ve been here for 12 years now! "
David Brownstone, Academic and Clinical Specialist/Manager,
Department of Social Work, and Clinical Social Worker, Paediatric Brain Tumour Program, Hospital for Sick Children
Context
- Higher education and social work pedagogy increasingly incorporate theoretical perspectives and empirical findings on education
- Interest in the use of simulation, new technology and interprofessional education is growing rapidly
- Education focuses more on competence (how well graduates do in practice) to address growing expectations for accountability expressed by government, employers and the public
