Seminars in Field Education

All seminars are held at the School of Social Work, East Campus, Building 9.

To register for these seminars, click "Seminar Registration Form" on the left.

Developing the Learning Contract: The Beginning Phase of Field Internship

Facilitator: Mary McLaughlin, MSW
Friday, September 18, 2009
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 CEUs)

Students are required to turn in a draft of their learning contract by the week of October 14th. This workshop will emphasize starting up with students, setting expectations and using the learning contract to focus the students' field experiences. Learning contracts for undergraduate and graduate programs may be downloaded from the SSW web page. Field Instructors will learn how to develop and implement appropriate placement learning activities as well as measure outcomes. Students are expected to demonstrate that each of the learning activities identified in their learning contract is consistent with the mission of the agency. Bring ideas and examples from your organization.

Supervising and Adult Learning Theory: The Essential Elements of Positive Field Supervision

Facilitator: Mary McLaughlin, MSW
Friday, October 9, 2009
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 CEUs)

Understanding the essential elements of a positive supervisory relationship and identifying field instructor/intern similarities and differences are keys to success for the field instructor. Participants will become familiar with adult learning theory and understand how to assess students' learning styles. Field Instructors will learn helpful supervisory styles to support the learning and development of interns.

Evaluating the Student: Using the Process as a Learning Experience

Facilitator: Mary McLaughlin, MSW
Friday, November 13, 2009
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 CEUs)

Evaluating student goals and objectives through the learning contract is one of the best opportunities we have to teach students in the field. Field instructors are required to submit evaluations on student interns by Friday, December 12th. This workshop will stress the need for a collaborative effort, and convey techniques to help students and field instructors learn from the evaluation experience. In addition, we will discuss how to use the evaluation process to set up further educational goals and problem solving skills.

Ethical Issues in Field Instruction

Facilitator: Frederic (Rick) Reamer, Ph.D.
Friday, January 22, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (3 Ethics CEUs)

This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of ethical and liability issues that should be addressed in field instruction. Participants will be provided with a typology that can be used to develop meaningful learning experiences for students. Topics such as confidentiality, clients' rights to self-determination, informed consent, boundary issues, violating the law or agency policy, whistle blowing, ethical decision making, documentation and malpractice risks will be covered. Participants are encouraged to bring their own disguised case material.

This seminar is offered in conjunction with the New England Consortium of Field Education Directors (NECON) and is open to field instructors from all member schools.

Incorporating Diversity & Oppression Content in Field Education

Facilitator: Mary McLaughlin, MSW
Friday, February 12, 2010
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 Diversity CEUs)

Identifying, understanding and celebrating diversity is a cornerstone of social work practice. This seminar will help field instructors design tasks to help students develop culturally competent practice skills. The focus will be on how self-awareness informs practice as well as discovery of client differences as an opportunity to learn. Techniques will be discussed regarding how to challenge students to take on all aspects regarding issues of diversity.