ERIC Number: EJ1198439
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Oct
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2158-2440
EISSN: N/A
Creating and Sustaining an Experiential Learning Component on Aging in a BSW Course
Young, Jimmy A.; Lee, Justin S.; Kovacs, Pamela J.
SAGE Open, v6 n4 Oct 2016
Regardless of their particular field of practice, social workers increasingly serve the growing population of older adults in the United States. This article describes the process of integrating an experiential component into a Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) course involving 75 BSW students. Reflections on the strengths and challenges during 3 years of the course and a successful sustainability strategy are discussed. Three methods of curriculum infusion were added to a required course: (a) guest speakers, (b) required volunteer hours, and (c) written reflections and class presentations. We discovered that students' attitudes toward working with older adults were changed following their experience in this course. Cognizant of the difficulty introducing additional hours and content to a full course agenda, we advocate for curriculum change that includes an experiential component together with classroom discussion and activities. We provide details of our process of implementation and sustainability that might help guide similar course adaptations to increase BSW student exposure to working with older adults.
Descriptors: Experiential Learning, Aging Education, Aging (Individuals), Counselor Training, Social Work, Undergraduate Students, Classroom Communication, Sustainability, Student Attitudes, Older Adults, Attitude Change, Course Content, Curriculum Development, Course Descriptions, Service Learning, Writing (Composition)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A