Monmouth University’s School of Social Work will provide two experiential learning activities to students participating in the BEL project. Both experiential activities were added to the core curriculum of Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE I) class because this course is offered early in the social work curriculum and provides students with their first community experience.
The first activity involves a four hour interactive sensitivity training that will take place in the classroom during the first four weeks of the academic semester. The training is designed to increase student awareness regarding some of the physical ailments and sensory changes that older people may experience. Students will interact in role plays with their peers using specific props and instructor guided interactive activities in order to gain a greater sensitivity of the visual, hearing and mobility impairments that are often experienced by older adults. Additionally, fine motor skill changes that occur due to conditions such as arthritis and neuropathy will also be simulated.
The second experiential activity calls for students to complete a 30 hour volunteer experience in the community at an agency that provides services to older people. Sites for the 30 hour volunteer experience were secured by the social work department to ensure that students are involved in face to face contact with older people receiving services at the community agencies. Types of agencies include medical and social day programs, assisted living programs, and continuous care facilities. Students will keep a journal of their volunteer work so that experiences can be processed and shared with their peers in the classroom.