Advancing Simulation-based Social Work Education: Evidence, Impact, and Innovation

This book highlights the expansive and evolving developments of simulation-based learning and research in social work education and practice. Simulation-based learning is a deliberate teaching approach that uses structured, interactive, realistic scenarios, with trained actors or staged environments or with virtual or technology-enhanced platforms, that replicate real-world practice situations. These immersive experiential opportunities allow learners to develop and practice skills, receive feedback, reflect critically, and strengthen professional competencies.

This edited volume brings together leading scholars, practitioners, and educators, showcasing the innovations and emerging advancements in simulation pedagogy. The chapters in this collection explore the diverse simulation modalities used across social work education, including generalist and specialized practice contexts, interprofessional education, and cutting-edge virtual and technological applications. It offers insights into how in-person, hybrid, and fully online simulations expand teaching possibilities, enhances learning and application, and shapes the advancement of simulation-based pedagogy in social work.

This book is a valuable resource for educators, trainers, and practitioners committed to advancing evidence-informed social work education and practice in today’s complex and rapidly evolving practice landscape.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue in Studies in Clinical Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education, and Research.

Barbara Lee is Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, School of Social Work. Her research focuses on evidence-informed practice with diverse children, youth, and families, and on advancing simulation-based learning to strengthen social work education.

Mary Rawlings is Professor at Azusa Pacific University in the Department of Social Work. Research interests are in competency-based social work education and the development and testing of the use of simulation in assessment of clinical practice skills.

Nicholas Lanzieri is Clinical Professor at NYU's Silver School of Social Work. His current research and scholarship is centered on the development, implementation and evaluation of simulation and online teaching and pedagogy. Dr. Lanzieri also teaches Human Behavior, Practice and Practicum related courses.

Kenta Asakura is Associate Professor at Smith College School for Social Work. Dr. Asakura’s scholarly work focuses on the use of simulation in teaching and learning as well as on practice competencies informed by both clinical and critical theory.