The Future of Simulations in Social Work Education: A Call to Action, A Call for Reflection

Drawing on 5 years of teaching and research on simulations, this chapter reflects modest beginnings in implementing simulations in social work classes, growth and transformation over time, challenges faced, and future directions for social work education. Finding time and resources for implementing simulations, reluctance to utilize simulations in classes, and concerns about the potential for re-traumatization in simulations re-enacting cases involving police interactions or the perpetuation of stereotypes in simulations of individuals with mental illness or disabilities were challenges that required ongoing reflection and discussions. Being alive and accountable to the multifaceted complexities of experiences that social workers may confront were key. Overall, the simulations became a powerful learning tool that provided bachelor and master of social work and doctor of philosophy students with needed experiential learning to prepare them for real-world practice and teaching.