What the facility does
Conducts research on simulation-based teaching and social work practice, using simulation as a research methodology.
Areas of expertise
The SIM Social Work Research Lab aims to Strengthen, Innovate and Mobilize simulation-based research in social work education and practice. Its research focuses on two areas: the use of simulation as a pedagogical approach for teaching professional practice, and the use of simulation as a research methodology to study practice behaviours among students and professionals. Simulations involve interactions with simulated clients, including actors and artificial intelligence technologies, in scenarios designed to reflect situations encountered in social work practice.
Research services
- Training in simulation-based research methodologies
- Workshops on simulation-based teaching
- Testing of technology-enhanced simulation for teaching and learning
- Simulation-based professional training using counselling rooms and audiovisual technologies
- Networking opportunities for simulation researchers and educators
- Support for innovation in human service delivery through simulation-based research
Sectors of application
- Education
- Healthcare and social services
- Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
Specialized labs and equipment
- Simulation capture and assessment: Record and integrate video and simulation data to support debriefing, assessment and reporting.
- Simulated practice environments: Replicate a range of agency and institutional settings for interactions with individuals, families and small groups, using an adaptable waiting and counselling room. The room has a large screen for interacting with virtual clients, and a one-way mirror into an adjoining observation room and research office.