Other areas

Describe your learning and teaching success story
Short, M., Gilbert, D.G.J., Emmanuel, A., Ganda, J., Grove, C., Ihesiulor, C., McCarthy, A., Moloney, C., Roberts, E., and Smedley, T. (2024). Group work anthology: A free resource for busy practitioners, students, volunteers and academics. Charles Sturt University. https://opentext.csu.edu.au/groupwork/

In 2024, CSU students, CSU librarians, practitioners, YWCA, Rotary and CSU academics came together to author and publish this online book. This publication is impactful, being used by colleagues and practitioners in the human services and health as well as by other educational institutions.

Further information about the authoring of the book can be seen in the Setting the Scene section https://opentext.csu.edu.au/groupwork/front-matter/setting-the-scene/

What did you learn or gain during this process

This publication is an output and impact of CSU SSWA pilot satellite skills-based intensives. Dr Emma Atherton, Dr Patricia MacKey, and Dr Monica Short conducted research into the pilot satellite intensives. Their research identified a scarcity of scholarship on effective ways in which social work practice skills are taught and learned. Our research encourages educators to reimagine practice skill pedagogy, embrace innovation, address student poverty and consider how the barriers can be addressed so that people can succeed in their studies. It also encourages movement beyond debates like online versus face-to-face delivery of skills-based teaching.

What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar?

Start by talking with people studying your subjects about what would make their lives easier so they can succeed in their studies. Then consider how to turn this into a research project. Co-designing and co-authoring Open Education Resources is one tool in addressing student poverty.

Dr Monica Short
Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Human Services
School of Social Work and Arts
Faculty of Arts and Education
Book published in 2024