The TFEL project held its last roundtable on Using Technology in Field Eduation. The dialogue focused on these practices:

Practice 1: Online platforms for meeting and information sharing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams  

Practice 2: Developing digitalized trainings that are accessible across Canada  

Practice 3: Technological innovations in field education    

In the roundtable discussion, we invite member reflections to allow for sharing and dialogue about the study findings, and providing opportunities for questions, critique, feedback, affirmation, and collaboration.

Date: May 25,  2023

Time: 10 am-12 pm MDT

Facilitators: Dr. Sheri McConnell (TFEL Co-Investigator, Memorial University), Dr. Christine Walsh (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Elizabeth Tettman (TFEL Student Research Assistant, University of Toronto), Suraj Khatiwada (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary)

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Valuing Open-Mindedness and Flexibility in Practicum Placements. The dialogue focused on these practices:

Practice 1: Field educators and supervisors are open to the potential for innovation in different methods and the challenges presented

Practice 2: Incorporating group placements where students are involved in various activities in a collaborative approach

Practice 3: Encouraging flexibility around practicums to allow space and time for all circumstances

In the roundtable discussion, we invite member reflections to allow for sharing and dialogue about the study findings, and providing opportunities for questions, critique, feedback, affirmation, and collaboration.

Date: April 27,  2023

Time: 10 am-12 pm MDT

Facilitators: Dr. Sally St. George (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Dr. Tamara Sussman (TFEL Co-Investigator, McGill University), Dr. Dan Wulff (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Godfrey Makoha (TFEL Student Research Assistant, McGill), and  Suraj Khatiwada (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary).

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The dialogue focused on these practices:

Practice 1: Addressing Anti-Black racism, Anti-Oppressive Practice, and EDI.

Practice 2: Creating practicum opportunities that are situated in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations, diverse communities, and in languages other than French/English.

Practice 3: Better representation to ensure space in organizations for BIPOC students, ensuring diverse representation on the field education committee, and representative hiring practices.

Date: March 30,  2023

Time: 10 am-12 pm MDT

Facilitators: Dr. Uzo Anucha (TFEL Co-Investigator, York University), Dr. Jill Hanley (TFEL Co-Investigator, McGill University), Dr. Saleema Salim (TFEL Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Calgary) and Suraj Khatiwada (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary).

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Sharing Unique Practices for Field Supervision. The dialogue focused on these practices:

Practice 1: Including more voices in field education, such as service users and multiple field instructors.

Practice 2: Adopting creative and multiple supervision strategies (individual and group, working meetings, e-supervision) that reduce workload demands on field instructors and increase peer accountability.

Practice 3: Conducting peer supervision by MSW students to BSW students.

Practice 4: Including a skilled-based perspective where it is possible to break things down into smaller parts to be able to practice independently and then practice with a supervisor to get feedback.

Date: February 23,  2023

Time: 10 am-12 pm MST

Facilitators: Dr. David Nicholas (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Dr. Jill Hanley (TFEL Co-Investigator, McGill University), Jemmelia Morgan (TFEL practicum student, University of Windsor), Suraj Khatiwada (TFEL practicum student, University of Calgary), Eve Xeflide (TFEL practicum student, University of Calgary)

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Field Accreditation and Policy.  The dialogue focused on these practices:

Practice 1: Having university programs include courses on knowledge and competencies for field instruction as part of the curriculum

Practice 2: Exploring more diverse social work supervision outside of supervisors with BSW/MSW credentials

Date: January 26,  2023

Time: 10 am-12 pm MST

Facilitators: Dr. Julie L. Drolet (TFEL Project Director, University of Calgary), Dr. Sheri M. McConnell  (TFEL Co-Investigator, Memorial University), Dr. Eileen McKee (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Toronto), Eve Xeflide (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary) and Suraj Khatiwada (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary).

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Macro-Level Placements. The facilitators shared key findings from the research. The dialogue focused on these promising practices:

Practice 1: Creating opportunities for “sector-based” practicum placement (e.g., around issues of housing/homelessness) vs. traditional one-on-one agency placement (may involve working in the shelter system, as an example, for front-line practice experience).

Practice 2: Creating additional macro-level placement options centered on research and policy that introduce students to a different level of social work intervention.

Practice 3: Having students involved in social justice projects or community-level events.

Date: December 8, 2022

Time: 10 am-12 noon MST

Facilitators: Julie Drolet (TFEL Project Director, University of Calgary), Julie Mann-Johnson (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Jill Hanley (TFEL Co-Investigator, McGill University), Jarrod Ross (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Toronto), Elizabeth Tettman (TFEL Student Research Assistant, University of Toronto), Missa Mvuezolo (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary).

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Facilitating Multiple Partnerships and Collaborations. The facilitators shared key findings from the research. The dialogue focused on these promising practices:

Practice 1: Promoting community engagement to reciprocally meet community and field education needs.

Practice 2: Developing a community of practice for diverse groups and organizations by going beyond individual or institutional agreements.

Practice 3: Different institutions working together to avoid competition for practicum opportunities and developing community partnerships through university and field offices.

Date: November 24, 2022

Time: 10 am-12 noon MT

Facilitators: Sheri McConnell (TFEL Co-Investigator, Memorial University), Grant Charles (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of British Columbia), Kathleen DeSousa (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary), Nchedo Udobata (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary), Jarrod Ross (TFEL Practicum Student, University of Toronto).

The TFEL project held a roundtable on Creating New and Innovative Field Placements. The facilitators shared key findings from the research. The dialogue focused on these innovative practices:

Practice 1:       Developing placements with multiple agencies

Practice 2:       Identifying new field placement sites and working with non-traditional social work agencies

Practice 3:       Expanding virtual practicums to allow for greater accessibility and reaching remote areas

Practice 4:       Exploring self-directed placements to expose students to a diverse range of learning opportunities

Practice 5:       Interprofessional field placements for social work students to  collaborate and learn with other disciplines

Practice 6:       Green social work field placements that integrate environmental justice and sustainability

Practice 7:       Increase the availability of Northern and Rural field placements

Date: October 27, 2022

Time: 10am-12 noon MT

Facilitators:  Julie Drolet (TFEL Project Director, University of Calgary), Sally St. George (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Dan Wulff (TFEL Co-Investigator, University of Calgary), Sheri M. McConnell (TFEL Co-Investigator, Memorial University), Kathleen DeSousa(TFEL Practicum Student, University of Calgary).

The TFEL project held a virtual roundtable on Incorporating Indigenous and Wise Practices in field education. The facilitators shared key findings from the research. The dialogue focused on these wise practices:

Practice 1:  Incorporating Indigenous cultural practices and involving Elders in social work field education.

Practice 2:  Creating new ways of approaching learning agreements.

Practice 3:  Being creative, flexible, and open minded about definitions of key terms, such as clinical practice, that are more appropriate to apply in all contexts

Practice 4:  Focusing on initiatives towards decolonizing and Indigenizing social work field practica.

Date: September 29, 2022

Time: 10am-12 noon MT

Facilitators: Natalie Clark (TFEL Co-Investigator, Thompson Rivers University), Julie Mann-Johnson (TFEL Collaborator, University of Calgary), Missa Mvuezolo (TFEL practicum student, University of Calgary), Saleema Salim (TFEL Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Calgary), Elizabeth Tettman (TFEL student research assistant, University of Toronto), Nchedo Udobata (TFEL practicum student, University of Calgary).