Goldstein, H. (2001).  Experiential Learning: A Foundation for Social Work Education and Practice.  Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education Inc.

Goldstein approaches the topic of experiential learning from a broad framework, looking at the inception of social work as a profession, if (and how) social work can be taught, and how the field aspect of the education influences learning.  Goldstein summarizes several theories of intelligence, learning styles and teaching methods to help illustrate how there can be no “one size fits all” approach to educating social workers. 

In the last chapter Goldstein talks about the change needed to incorporate experiential learning into the curriculum of schools of social work.  How experiential learning is not about what is taught, but rather the “philosophy” of how to teach and tie the knowledge of the classroom to the experience of the field.

If you are looking for a book that provides broad summaries of experiential thinkers and places that knowledge in the context of social work education, this book will not disappoint.  If, on the other hand, you are looking for a book that provides guidance on applying the theories to the classroom, I would advise you look elsewhere.

Added by Elisa Martin – 9/28/09