Imagine being a social worker called to conduct a routine check on a family receiving support services. School teachers reported signs of possible neglect, poor hygiene, and frequent hunger. When you arrive, the smell of smoke lingers in the air, and piles of empty liquor bottles fill the garbage. What do you do next?

For students in USF's Online Master of Social Work program, answering this question begins with an innovative learning experience. Through Associate in Research Christopher Groeber's reimagined Child Maltreatment course, students gain the practical skills to successfully navigate these complex scenarios.

Preparing students for these challenges requires creative design strategies that mirror situations they'll encounter on the job, ensuring they develop the critical skills and confidence needed as social workers.

That's where the expertise of USF Innovative Education's learning designers and InEd Studios comes in. Alongside these teams, Groeber has redefined online learning with scenario-based learning that brings real-world challenges to life.

FACING THE UNKNOWN

Home visits can often be one of the more challenging aspects of a social worker's role. It's difficult to know what will be found behind closed doors - potential hazards, hostile reactions, or poor living conditions for children. As a student, preparing for these emotionally demanding situations can be intimidating.

The redesigned Child Maltreatment course will ease some of this anxiety through a video simulation assignment. Designed by experts to represent real-life scenarios, the simulation gives students an invaluable inside perspective on the challenges they will likely encounter in the field.

LEARNING THROUGH SIMULATION

The simulated exercise provides an immersive experience that goes beyond the possibilities of a traditional classroom.

To bring the lesson to life, the project enlisted the help of actors - including William Swain, Jessica Carter, and Felipe Rodriguez from USF's Child Welfare Training Team - along with Keeley Pendergrass, a social work undergraduate at Florida Gulf Coast University.

In one scenario, the team focused on responding to a report of potential alcohol abuse in a child's family. Upon entering the home, the social worker experiences hostility and judgment directed toward her age and credibility.

Throughout the video, students observe different ways of connecting with the family and handling difficult questions and comments.

"It's almost like speed dating," Groeber said. "Without building that trust quickly, it can become a longer than necessary involvement."

Clips are interspersed with live feedback from Groeber, which provides critical insights and explains what went well and areas for improvement.

The simulation also introduces students to de-escalation techniques to manage tense situations. By practicing responses to harsh comments or threats, students gain the confidence to handle unpredictable environments before graduation.

After completing the video, students complete a corresponding reaction paper, where they analyze the case worker's visit, evaluate the approaches used, identify key participants in family functioning assessments, and assess effective strategies for connecting with families - skills that they will use in their profession.

"There's a lot of shame and anxiety involved when dealing with families in crisis and things like sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, and substance abuse, and rightfully so," said Groeber. "But if you use learning as a coping mechanism, become more trauma and shame informed, it makes that fear more manageable."

ENHANCING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

In 2019, InEd collaborated with Groeber to transform this course for the online environment. This semester, they revisited the course, incorporating student feedback to ensure it reflects hands-on professional tasks while leveraging the flexibility of an asynchronous format.

"Together, the team brainstormed, strategized, and looked at course outcomes to determine which tactics would help fuel learning in this online course," said Christie Nicholas, director of learning design and research at InEd.

Groeber has been working alongside Mariah Okoye, one of InEd's learning designers. Using feedback from students who completed the existing course, they introduced podcasts, interactive lectures, and additional videos to complement traditional lectures. The updated course offers diverse lecture formats, promotes students' individuality, and aligns with Universal Design for Learning principles for flexibility and accessibility.

One noteworthy addition is a video on self-care for social workers. While social workers help others process their trauma, it's also important for them to take time to look after their own mental well-being.

Another new feature is a sit-down video with Groeber, where he shares how his personal experiences shaped his approach to social work practice and his teaching philosophies.

"One of the biggest challenges in my role is finding ways to make the instructor's presence felt in an online course, allowing learners to truly connect with them," said Okoye. "As a student, I'm much more motivated to learn when I know the instructor cares deeply about the subject and has firsthand experience in the field."

A COURSE FOR ALL DISCIPLINES

While the Child Maltreatment course is part of the Online Master of Social Work program's curriculum, USF students of any major can take the course.

It is also part of a certificate program in child advocacy in partnership with the Department of Criminology and College of Public Health as one of three required courses.

"Trauma, children, and the sanctity of families impact so many other areas beyond social work," Groeber said. "All of us have been part of a family, all of us have experienced trauma, and it influences how we interact with others, both personally and professionally."

By bringing together students from diverse fields such as public health, education, nursing, and even business, the course offers a distinct opportunity to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

"I love the unique perspectives when we have a variety of majors in the classroom. I think it inspires students to think differently about the populations they will encounter daily and learn how to connect with them," said Groeber.

By incorporating simulation assignments with expert guidance, the course not only prepares social work students for authentic scenarios they'll encounter but also helps students of any major understand the complexity of trauma and family dynamics on a broader scale. From building rapport with clients to mastering safety and self-care techniques, students emerge with enhanced confidence and readiness to create positive change in their communities.

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