scholarly journals Open educational resources and graduate social work students: Cost, outcomes, use, and perceptions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Peter DeCarlo ◽  
Susan Schoppelrey ◽  
Courtney Crenshaw ◽  
Mary C. Secret ◽  
Melissa Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Open Educational Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Course Format ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Graduate Social Work

Researchers conducted a dual-site pilot experiment evaluating the impact of an open textbook on graduate social work students in research methods courses. Students using the commercial and open textbook demonstrated equivalent final grades and test scores. The open resource was more likely to be used on a weekly basis by students and was described as straightforward and easy to access. Among students who extensively used the open textbook, it was associated with improved attitudes towards research methods. The impact of open textbooks on student use, perceptions, and access varied by hybrid and in-person course format. These results validate the work of social work educators creating, sharing, and implementing open educational resources as way to address the barriers to access and engagement with social work knowledge.

The Impact of Learning Abroad Programs on Graduate Social Work Students’ Competency Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-294
Author(s):  
Robin E Gearing ◽  
Patrick Leung ◽  
Monit Cheung ◽  
Micki Washburn ◽  
Luis R. Torres
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Graduate Social Work

scholarly journals Facilitating Student Success: The Role of Open Educational Resources in Introductory Psychology Courses

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N Engler ◽  
Randi Shedlosky-Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Introductory Psychology ◽  
Open Educational Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
Content Mastery ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Psychology Courses ◽  
Course Material ◽  
The Impact

Open Educational Resources (OER) remove barriers to access instructional material. In light of their increased availability and use, a body of research has emerged to examine the impact of OER on college student success. While many of these studies have broadly examined efficacy across a variety of disciplines, the current study specifically examined the impact of the type of textbook (commercial vs. OER) on course content mastery within an undergraduate sample of introductory psychology students ( N = 63) while controlling for instructor and student differences. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in content mastery between those students in introductory psychology courses who were assigned a traditional commercial textbook and those who were assigned an OER textbook. These results support that OER can be equally effective as traditional, commercial textbooks and have implications for course material selections that help ensure access for all students.

scholarly journals Citizens as social work educators in a post-conflict society: reflections from Northern Ireland

2009 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Joe Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Core Knowledge ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines how service users and carers can contribute to social work education in a post conflict society. A small-scale study undertaken in Northern Ireland is used as a case study to show how such citizens can potentially critically contribute to social work students’ understanding of the impact of conflict on individuals, groups and communities. The need to appreciate the effects of such community division is now a core knowledge requirement of the social work curriculum in Northern Ireland. The article reports on research findings with service users, carers and agency representatives which points to ways in which social work students can achieve a critical understanding of the impact of conflict. Northern Ireland, in this way, is presented as a divided society, still in a state of adjustment and evolution, following a period of protracted community strife and violence. The author suggests that individuals who have been directly affected by conflict can contribute in an informed and critical way to social work students’ developing knowledge and experience in an important area of their professional competence and understanding of anti-oppressive practice more broadly.

Veterinary Social Work: How Undergraduate Social Workers Can Make a Difference

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158
Author(s):  
Ann Callahan
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Remote Area ◽  
Southern State ◽  
Learning Opportunity ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Graduate Social Work

The provision of veterinary social work has traditionally required training only available to graduate social work students and professionals. As social work educators continue to define core competencies required for veterinary social work, they must consider how to train undergraduate social work students in this emerging field. Remote Area Medical (RAM) provides such an opportunity. This article describes the experience of baccalaureate social work students at a university in a Southern state in the provision of veterinary social work services at five RAM spay and neuter clinics. The ways in which social work educators might use the RAM model as a service learning opportunity for their students are also explored.

Recreational Drumming: A Creative Arts Intervention Strategy for Social Work Teaching and Practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Maschi ◽  
Carolyn Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Stress Energy ◽  
Msw Students ◽  
Interpersonal Connectedness ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
The Impact

Recreational music-making has been shown to decrease stress and increase feelings of well-being and empowerment among diverse groups. This study examined the impact of recreational drumming among social work students on measures of well-being, empowerment, and connectedness. It used a pretest-posttest design to evaluate outcomes among a sample of 31 participants in the 2-hour I–We Rhythm Program for recreational drumming. Results of paired t-test analyses revealed significant differences in levels of stress, energy, and feelings of empowerment and community. Using this creative-arts intervention can be an effective self-care strategy for BSW and MSW students, practitioners, and/or clients in educational or agency-based settings to increase feelings of well-being and interpersonal connectedness, which, in turn, may help to increase effectiveness in practice.

scholarly journals Using Portfolios: Integrating Learning and Promoting for Social Work Students

10.18060/59 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Schatz
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Educational Tool ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Graduate Social Work

Portfolios are a valuable educational tool to aid in the integrative experience for graduate social work students. Forty-one graduate students were asked to evaluate their portfolio experience. A Pearson correlation shows that graduate students find the experience of developing a portfolio to be reflective of their second year MSW program (r=.511; p

Australian social work students: Balancing tertiary studies, paid work and poverty

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Len Baglow ◽  
Susan Gair
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Life Study ◽  
Field Placements ◽  
Study Experience ◽  
Social Work Programs ◽  
The Impact

Summary It is commonly understood that enrolment in higher education means inevitable financial strain. In an online national survey in 2015, a sample of 2320 current students from 29 Australian social work programs reported on their experiences of juggling life, study and work. Findings This article details preliminary findings regarding the impact of low levels of income on the lives and study success of an Australian student cohort, and offers a considered comparison to relevant available data. Students in this study reported regularly going without necessities, and identified that a lack of finances and long hours in employment were adversely affecting their study experience. These problems became acute during compulsory field placements. Applications The purpose of this study was to illuminate social work students’ complex study realities in order to inform future education, policy and practice. The findings identify that for these students adverse outcomes including poverty and disruption to studies may be increasingly difficult to avoid. This situation may not be confined to this cohort or the Australian experience. There appears to be an urgent need for national bodies, universities and students to join together in advocating for increased support for tertiary social work students.

The Key to Learning: Engaging Undergraduate Students in Authentic Social Work Research

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 47-62
Author(s):  
Carol Hostetter ◽  
Sabrina Williamson Sullenberger ◽  
Leila Wood
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Millennial Students ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Student Grades

Social work educators highlight the value of research skills, and students often resist. Millennial students seek social connection and relevance in their educational experiences. The results of a study designed to investigate whether engaging students in authentic research increases their research knowledge and skills are reported. Forty-eight undergraduate social work students in a research method class conducted a study of adolescents’ views on poverty. In addition, students worked in teams to conduct quantitative surveys on a poverty-related topic of their choice. Three types of data were collected to evaluate the research question: student grades, a midterm evaluation of the team aspect, and an end-of-course reflection. Students’ grades were high, their perceptions of the course at midterm were predominantly positive, and their final reflection showed that the large majority (86%) thought the course design helped them improve their research knowledge and skills.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document