Social Work Lecturer named ECU South West Teaching Award Winner

David Hodgson, a Social Work lecturer, has been named the Edith Cowan University (ECU) South West Faculty Teaching Award Winner.

David, who grew up in Bunbury and has been teaching at the campus for eight years, was recognised for his dedication to teaching. His submission to the awards panel outlined an assessment program he developed to prepare third year Social Work students for their first placement in an agency.

Social Work students are required to complete two significant work placements as part of their course.

“The idea behind the role play assessment was to simulate a work environment as well as assess their skills,” says Mr Hodgson.

The students received an analysis of their performance from the lecturer, and from the “clients” in the role play, who were accomplished Social Workers themselves.

“After the assessment, they were given an analysis from the client’s perspective as well as the educators perspective—and then encouraged to reflect on their own performance. This process creates a “safe” environment for Social Work students to prepare for what they could encounter on placement,” he said.

The Award carries a $1,000 prize to be used toward developing the recipient’s skills, or toward further research in teaching and learning.

Mr Robert Irvine, ECU South West Dean, said that nominations for the award could be made by students or through student-delivered teaching satisfaction scores.

“Our students have a significant role in identifying potential nominees for this award, and nominees are then required to prepare a submission for the awards panel,” he said.

South West commenced offering Social Work 10 years ago. It is the only program of its kind in WA which focuses on educating Social Workers for a rural and regional context, as well as a metropolitan one.

“Educating Social Workers is rewarding because I am part of a process which prepares students for a profession that positively impacts themselves and their community.

“For me, being a Social Worker and an Educator allows me to earn a living by being involved in meaningful projects. It is a privilege to spend my days enabling others to hopefully do the same,” Mr Hodgson said.

“The real benefit of the award was how the process made me reflect on my practice as an educator,” he went on to say.