Research, macro practice and aging in the social work education curriculum

Area of Science:

• Social Work Education
• Gerontology
• Research Pedagogy

Background:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs face challenges in integrating research, macro-level practice, and aging content.
• Generalist social work practice requires a strong foundation in these three key areas.
• Existing curricula may not adequately address the intersection of these domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel teaching model for BSW students.
• To enhance the integration of research, macro-level practice, and aging within a single course.
• To strengthen generalist social work practice skills.

Main Methods:

• Faculty developed an integrated teaching model.
• Content on macro-level concerns and aging was incorporated into a research course curriculum.
• The model's development and evaluation occurred within a community and college project.

Main Results:

• Preliminary findings suggest the model is effective.
• The integrated approach showed benefits for students.
• Positive impacts were observed for the social work program and the community.

Conclusions:

• The developed teaching model shows promise for improving social work education.
• Integrating research, macro-practice, and aging content is a viable strategy.
• The model offers a beneficial framework for students, programs, and communities.