Generative Artificial Intelligence as a potential learning tool in social work student placements
Lead institution: Lancaster University
Country: United Kingdom
Project primary contact: Clare Stone (c.stone2@lancaster.ac.uk), Professor
Project Title: Generative Artificial Intelligence as a potential learning tool in social work student placements
The project is: In progress
Project Summary:
Attending an educational conference motivated me to explore how generative artificial intelligence could be used as a learning tool, specifically in relation to my specialist subject area of work-based learning in social work. Excited by the possibilities, I wrote an article to inspire others to play with AI tools and, importantly, begin a social work discussion about upskilling students and educators (Stone, 2023).
I now have the approval to commence research designed to learn more about educators’ experiences of using generative artificial intelligence to aid social work students’ learning in the workplace/practice learning placements. I am hosting online workshops to introduce Gen AI and demonstrate some teaching and learning activities they could use. I will invite participants to complete a short survey in which they provide their initial thoughts and whether or not they think they may use it.
They will have the opportunity to volunteer to be interviewed later so that I can explore the barriers and successes of using Gen AI with social work students. Stone, Clare (2023) Artificial intelligence in social work practice education. The potential use of Generative AI for learning. The Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v20i3.2192.
Impact: Explore how Gen AI can be a learning tool for social work students on placement and how educators can be supported to engage with it.
Audience: Initially, the intention is to impact social work students' learning on placement, but I hope other disciplines will also find value in the insights.
This output is part of a member project - AI Garage: Creating the Future Now which collects and curates cutting-edge practice examples of AI. You can explore other submissions here.