Fall 2025 SOWK 590 Week 10 - Advanced Seminar I
Fall 2025 SOWK 590 Week 10 - Advanced Seminar I
title: Fall 2025 SOWK 590 Week 10 - Advanced Seminar I date: 2025-10-27 20:22:48 location: Heritage University tags:
- Heritage University
- MSW Program
- SOWK 590 presentation_video: > “” description: >
Week ten is synchronous with having class on Saturday (11/01/25) for SOWK 590. Students continue to work at the practicum and will submit their weekly journal. We will have the following agenda:
- Midcourse Feedback
- SLED: Community Organizing & Activism
- Mindfulness activity
- Practice Learning Reflection Group
The learning objectives this week include:
- Students will consider how community organizing and activism can relate to their practice.
- Students will actively practice a mindfulness activity.
- Students will recognize their peers’ shared experiences in the practicum and use the group as a method for sharing and problem-solving.
- Students will analyze their practicum experience, reflecting on how it connects to their development and demonstration of competence.
Plan for Week 10
Agenda
- Midcourse Feedback
- SLED: Community Organizing & Activism
- Mindfulness activity
- Practice Learning Reflection Group
Learning Objectives
- Students will consider how community organizing and activism can relate to their practice.
- Students will actively practice a mindfulness activity.
- Students will recognize their peers’ shared experiences in the practicum and use the group as a method for sharing and problem-solving.
- Students will analyze their practicum experience, reflecting on how it connects to their development and demonstration of competence.
Midcourse Feedback for SOWk 590 and 595
I had 6 and 5 people complete their reflections. The comments I got were overwhelmingly positive. I thought I would share a couple of the comments around where you all feel like you are growing and doing well, because I believe there likely some similarities between everybody and I want to encourage you all.
I loved hearing somebody feeling like they are finding their vocation… “I love working with young students!”
People enjoying the classwork
- “I like the SLED, I think it’s a great addition to seminar. We didn’t do that for BSW program. I enjoy our discussions, talking about how it is going and being able to give each other advice.”
- “Something that are going well for me is the journals. I like journaling like experience towards the end of my shift because it helps me reflect on the day that I had and if I need to debrief with anyone about a patient, I am able to do so before I go home.”
People are Growing
- “I am learning that staying organized is a very important thing to do as well as keep documentation as accurate as possible.”
- “I’ve learned that I’m capable of more than I ever gave myself credit for. This year, I’ve always been a bit shy, but I’ve started to see a new side of myself like learning to speak up and advocate for myself during practicum.”
- “What I’m learning in this course in the semester is that I’m able to understand and follow the ethics in my practice.”
Poi Spinning: A Self Care Activity
There are a number of benefits to poi spinning:
- Is inherently mindful
- Re-energizes the brain after long periods of cognitive-heavy tasks
- Gives emotional boost
- Allows for movement metaphor
- Facilitates multi-sensory experiencing
- Involve rhythmic, bilateral movement
- Crosses multiple midlines
- Creates community when spinning with others
Making a Poi Ball
- Pick a pair of socks the style of your choice
- Fill up a bag with rice, about ⅓ to ½ cup
Determine proper length before tying holding knots. A poi should not be longer than the spinner’s arm. The best way to determine where to tie the knot (for holding the poi) is to hold the sock at the open end and put your arm straight up. Adjust where you hold the poi until the ball-end is hanging between the elbow and the bicep.
Let’s Practice Learning to spin
- Planes
- Direction
- Timing
Activity and plan come from a NASW 2024 Conference Session by Lori Sirs, DSW, LICSW
See Poi Spinning FAQ’s for more information.
Student-led Discussion
[Whole Group Activity] Assigned students will facilitate discussion with the class regarding chosen topic.
Community Organizing & Activism
Practice Learning Reflection Group
Group Norms
- We will be respectful of each other
- We will approach our dialogue with an open mind
- We will engage and fully participate
- We will keep our clients’ information confidential
Group Check-in Question
What’s something that felt energizing or draining this week?
Practicum Discussion
- What are some of the things that are happening in your practicums?
- What are some of the needs of the clients you are working with?
- Examples of client work to share with the group?