Learning Strategies and Mutual Aid Groups in BSW Education

Abstract

Drawing from cooperative learning strategies and the mutual aid model as theoretical foundations, a creative design for teaching group work practice skills to baccalaureate level social work students is presented. Students in a senior-level group work course facilitate a series of six group sessions structured around a course reading with sophomore-level Introduction to Social Work students. Multiple benefits were initially reported including skill acquisition, mentorship, and a sense of increased competence. This design is promising, and social work educators are encouraged to replicate different versions and interpretations of it for further experience and increased quantitative evaluation.