Third Space: A Web-Based Learning Environment for Teaching Advanced Clinical Practice Skills

This paper describes the design and integration of Third Space, an innovative computer mediated learning environment, in a couples therapy course for second year students in a MSW program. While most computer mediated teaching is used in distance education, we developed a web-based program to supplement the teaching of clinical skills in a traditional classroom. The Third Space web-based learning environment was developed to simulate couples therapy supervision by adding functionalities to a traditional bulletin board to enable student and instructors to view videotaped role-plays on the web and engage in online discussions about the role-plays. The effectiveness of this learning environment was evaluated with questionnaires and focus groups.