The Effects of a School-Based Program on the Reported Self-Advocacy Knowledge of Students With Learning Disabilities

A school-based study examined self-reported self-advocacy knowledge of middle school students with learning disabilities (LD). Children with LD are vulnerable to experiencing psychosocial and academic problems. Self-advocacy is a protective factor as students with LD enter middle and high school, comprising knowledge of one’s learning strengths and LD; awareness of one’s rights and responsibilities; awareness of accommodations needed; and ability to communicate one’s learning needs and required accommodations. The students reported increasing their ability to advocate for themselves. Results underscore the importance of adults such as teachers and parents discussing LD and associated issues with children and youth.Une étude en milieu scolaire a examiné les perceptions qu’avaient des élèves à l’école intermédiaire ayant des troubles d’apprentissage par rapport à leur autonomie sociale. Ces élèves sont à risque de souffrir de problèmes psychosociaux et académiques. L’autonomie sociale constitue un facteur de protection quand les élèves ayant des troubles d’apprentissage commencent l’école intermédiaire ou secondaire. Elle implique la connaissance de ses forces académiques et de ses troubles d’apprentissage; la conscience de ses droits et ses responsabilités; la conscience des accommodations nécessaires; et la capacité de faire connaître ses besoins en matière d’apprentissage et d’accommodations. Les élèves ont indiqué qu’ils se sentaient mieux en mesure de se défendre. Les résultats soulignent l’importance pour les adultes comme les enseignants et les parents de discuter de troubles d’apprentissage et d’enjeux qui s’y rattachent avec les enfants et les jeunes

Understanding the Relationships between Tourists’ Emotional Experiences, Perceived Overall Image, Satisfaction, and Intention to Recommend

The purpose of this study is to empirically test an integrative model linking tourists' emotional experiences, perceived overall image, satisfaction, and intention to recommend. The model was tested using data collected from domestic tourists visiting Sardinia, Italy. Results show that tourists' emotional experiences act as antecedents of perceived overall image and satisfaction evaluations. In addition, overall image has a positive influence on tourist satisfaction and intention to recommend. The study expands current theorizations by examining the merits of emotions in tourist behavior models. From a practical perspective, the study offers important implications for destination marketers

Making rotational field placements work: Review of a successful pilot of rotational field placements in hospital settings

This is the final published version of an article originally published by Whiting and Birch in the Journal of Practice Teaching & Learning. Reproduced with written permission of the publisher. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.This paper describes the development and successful pilot of rotational placements by the social work faculty of a large Canadian university. Modifications required for the pilot are discussed, particularly related to recruiting settings, enlisting field instructors and students, developing new field materials, training field instructors in the model and developing an evaluation tool used by field instructors and students. The strengths, limitations and lessons learned from the experience are discussed as well as the potential usefulness of rotational placements as an approach to addressing resource challenges in field education

Making rotational field placements work

This paper describes the development and successful pilot of rotational placements by the social work faculty of a large Canadian university. Modifications required for the pilot are discussed, particularly related to recruiting settings, enlisting field instructors and students, developing new field materials, training field instructors in the model and developing an evaluation tool used by field instructors and students. The strengths, limitations and lessons learned from the experience are discussed as well as the potential usefulness of rotational placements as an approach to addressing resource challenges in field education

Development, delivery and evaluation of a social work elective offered in a hospital setting

Abstract: This paper describes a qualitative study about a Master’s level elective course offered on-site at a Canadian pediatric hospital and delivered by frontline hospital social workers. Ten social workers and four students participated in the study which captured their experiences in the course. A grounded theory approach guided this study. Social workers discussed an enhanced sense of professional self, impact on their daily roles and various opportunities resulting from participation. Students discussed diversity, development of a realistic understanding of the social work role and the unique format of the course. Implications for future course development and university-agency partnerships are discussed.Keywords: social work; education; pediatrics; hospital; teachin

Development, delivery and evaluation of a social work elective offered in a hospital setting

This is the final published version of an article originally published by Whiting and Birch in the Journal of Practice Teaching & Learning. Reproduced with written permission of the publisher. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.This paper describes a qualitative study about a Master’s level elective course offered on-site at a Canadian pediatric hospital and delivered by frontline hospital social workers. Ten social workers and four students participated in the study which captured their experiences in the course. A grounded theory approach guided this study. Social workers discussed an enhanced sense of professional self, impact on their daily roles and various opportunities resulting from participation. Students discussed diversity, development of a realistic understanding of the social work role and the unique format of the course. Implications for future course development and university-agency partnerships are discussed.Funding for this research was provided by the Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Fund in Health Research, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Canad

Challenges and opportunities for applying groupwork principles to enhance online learning in social work

The recent increase in the number of social work courses being offered in online formats raises challenges and opportunities for social work educators. Simultaneously, the literature suggests that group work principles can serve as an important foundation for effective online education. This article examines the obstacles and opportunities for using group work principles to advance effective learning in online education. Three examples of fully online social work classes - a BSW group work course, an MSW group course and an MSW field work seminar - are discussed in order to identify and assess some of these obstacles and opportunities. Recommendations for best practices in online education are identified. The potential role of group work educators as leaders in facilitating effective online learning is also explored