Social Work Faculty and Student Perspectives on Best Practices for Experiential Learning That Facilitates Multiculturalism

Today in higher education, there is growing interest among educators to adopt experiential learning as a pedagogical approach. Institutions of higher learning have likewise considered how to address understanding multiculturalism in their preparation of students for real world challenges. One of the ways to accomplish this is through experiential learning. This roundtable will discuss experiential methods in the classroom to enhance students' understanding of multiculturalism to be utilized in their interactions with diverse clients and systems. Current research and a qualitative grant will be discussed to highlight key techniques used by faculty and found to be effective by students. A synthesis of five focus groups revealed 14 original themes within the student focus groups and 17 original themes within the faculty focus group. Our results suggest faculty might play an important role in the remediation of racial and economic disparities by using experiential methods to increase understanding of multiculturalism.

Participants at the end of the roundtable discussion will:

-Name three experiential teaching techniques and how they can be applied them in the classroom.

-Identify two benefits of using experiential methods in the classroom to facilitate students' understanding of multiculturalism.

-Demonstrate five ways to facilitate safe discussions in the classroom using experiential methods to understand multiculturalism.

Impact on Teaching and Learning

Experiential techniques have a significant impact upon curriculum development and learning within a multiculturalism classroom and environment. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has created policies for accreditation and students learning about diverse populations.

Social work education and practice is the first step in a lifelong learning process a person interested in being a social worker. In the area of effective experiential methods and students learning of multiculturalism there has not been a lot published in how it can be used in all academic areas yet has been effective in placements for students during internships. Is there an additional way that students can gain an understanding of not only the external environment from the classroom, but within a classroom environment? Experiential methods may be an additional answer or tool to bridge many of the societal and classroom gaps of knowledge in the area of multiculturalism. It is important to strengthen the curriculum in this area because social workers encounter individuals, groups and communities that are multicultural. The curriculum would be strengthened with knowledge of the most effective methods to teach multiculturalism in the classroom.

Even though this research will strengthen the literature on the topic, it may have more of a broad impact for the University. More research of the efficacy of social work methods of experiential learning and multiculturalism is needed. The voices of a few in social work may inform other UTA Departments and Universities of ways they can implement these effective methods in their classroom. This research may be a step in the right direct of benefitting the profession and society in the area of bridging the gaps and creating real life understanding in the area of multiculturalism.