SWO 446X Simulated Field Experience
The Simulated Field Experience (SFX), a 14-week, three credit course that constitutes the first term of the generalist field placement. The SFX involves weekly asynchronous content, live sessions, and select assignments designed to prepare students for the field placement. This course creates a learning lab guided by a strengths-based, anti-oppressive practice approach where students apply social work values, ethics, knowledge, and skills to simulated interactions with standardized client-actors, role plays, and practice scenarios. Accordingly, the course provides an opportunity for students to build social work competencies and to prepare for practice-based learning grounded in the exploration of affective and cognitive processes including self-reflection and self-regulation, critical thinking, and cultural humility.
In addition, students are exposed to a generalist social work process, evidence-based modalities, ethical decision-making, risk assessment, and working in interprofessional teams. Agency and larger system contexts for services, as well as the impact of social and economic policy on agencies and clinical practice, will be woven throughout the course. Throughout the course, students practice use of field education learning methods, including a competency-based learning plan and evaluation, process recording, and other reflective practice tools. In addition, students are introduced to the purpose and practice of supervision, as well as field education expectations. After successful completion of the course, students enter the three-term agency-based placement, which comprises the final term of the generalist placement and both terms of the specialized placement.
Simulation training is an evidence-based teaching and learning pedagogy and an essential method for applying knowledge to practice. It provides the highest level of experiential learning while retaining the safety of working with actors, instructors, and peers rather than actual clients. Importantly, simulation offers a unique opportunity for observed practice and learning in a supportive environment where students will benefit from instructor guidance, peer support, and engage in reflective practice for application to future practice. Scholarly research indicates that students who engage in simulation practice increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence as practitioners.
Prerequisite
Required Take SWO 446A Required Take SWO 421B concurrently