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Harnessing New Technology and Simulated Role Plays for Enhanced Engagement and Academic Success in Online Social Work Education
Abstract
This study examines the impact of computer-based simulated role plays on the self-efficacy of Master of Social Work (MSW) students in online learning environments. As virtual education becomes more common, maintaining experiential learning remains a key challenge in social work training. To address this, a longitudinal, experimental study was conducted with 155 MSW students enrolled in synchronous and asynchronous courses. Students were assigned to either a control group receiving standard instruction or an intervention group that completed computer-based simulations through Simucase®, a platform featuring interactive, computer-based client scenarios. Pre- and posttest measures assessed changes in students’ self-efficacy related to clinical skills. Findings revealed that students in the simulation group experienced a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy compared to the control group. These results suggest that computer-based simulations can effectively promote confidence and competence in online clinical training. Incorporating these tools into online MSW curricula offers a practical strategy for enhancing engagement and replicating the benefits of in-person experiential learning in digital settings.
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“Following this, students engage in RO by reviewing the interview transcript and writing a process recording to analyze their clinical skills and the AI's realism, a crucial debriefing step for learning from simulations (Flaherty et al., 2025).”
From Paying the Cognitive Debt: An Experiential Learning Framework for Integrating AI in Social Work Education (2025) · cites this paper as Flaherty et al., 2025
In the citing paper
“In a micro-practice assignment focused on clinical skills, the learning cycle begins with a CE where students use an AI chatbot to conduct a simulated intake interview, an approach shown to increase student self-efficacy (Flaherty et al., 2025).”
From Paying the Cognitive Debt: An Experiential Learning Framework for Integrating AI in Social Work Education (2025) · cites this paper as Flaherty et al., 2025
In the citing paper
“The barriers to technology integration, including faculty resistance and resource constraints, are substantial and cannot be overlooked (Flaherty et al., 2025).”
From Paying the Cognitive Debt: An Experiential Learning Framework for Integrating AI in Social Work Education (2025) · cites this paper as Flaherty et al., 2025
In the citing paper
“Validated instruments, such as the Social Work Self-Efficacy Scale (SWSE), have been used in experimental studies to demonstrate that structured, technology-based interventions can significantly increase student confidence and competence (Flaherty et al., 2025).”
From Paying the Cognitive Debt: An Experiential Learning Framework for Integrating AI in Social Work Education (2025) · cites this paper as Flaherty et al., 2025
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Watts, K. J. (2025) · Education Sciences · doi:10.3390/educsci15101304 · Cited by 18
Metadata
- Authors
- Flaherty, H. B., Henshaw, L. A., Lee, S. R., Herrera, C., Whitney, K., Auerbach, C., & Beckerman, N. L.
- Affiliations
- Yeshiva University (US)
- Simucase, LLC
- Corresponding author
- Flaherty, Hanni B.
- Venue
- Studies in Clinical Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education and Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2025-06-08
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 3-4
- Pages
- 397-421
- ISSN
- 2837-6811 (ISSN-L)
- 2837-682X
- OpenAlex
- W4411131642
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Studies in Clinical Social Work Transforming Practice Education and Research (publishedVersion)
- Routledge eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yeshiva University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
- Social Sciences › Education › Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences
- Social Sciences › Education › Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare
- Keywords
- computer simulation, self-efficacy, online social work education, master of social work students, experiential learning, clinical skills training, student engagement
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