Samantha Wolfe-Taylor
- Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, CTH
- Associate Director of the Office of e-Social Work Education and Practice / Assistant Professor
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IU Indianapolis IU Online
Contact
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(317) 274-6737
- swt@iu.edu
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University Hall
301 University Blvd.
About
Dr. Samantha Wolfe-Taylor is the associate director of the Office of e-Social Work Education and Practice and an assistant professor for the IU School of Social Work. Her primary role is in researching and teaching e-social work practices, AI in education and practice, distance education, and online simulation-based education. These duties include the development and participation in acquiring University certification for the e-Social Work Practice Certificate, developing and revising online courses, and working as a liaison with faculty content experts in course design. Additional duties include teaching two classes per academic year and providing online educational support to adjuncts, full-time faculty, and prospective students. Lastly, Dr. Wolfe-Taylor oversees the online Objective Structured Clinical Examination (e-OSCE) for social work practice education.
To date, Dr. Wolfe-Taylor has published five studies on tech ethics, online simulation-based education, and telebehavioral health practices. She has been invited to present on her research and teaching for twenty national conferences and educational assessment institutes on distance education, social work practice and education, and social policy.
Education
Masters of Social Work
Emphasis/Major: Social Work2013 - IU School of Social Work
Bachelors of Social Work
Emphasis/Major: Social Work2012 - IU School of Social Work
PhD
Emphasis/Major: Social work2023 - Indiana University School of Social Work
Dissertation: THE E-OSCE AND SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION: CREATING AUTHENTIC, HIGH-IMPACT PRACTICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Research Interests
Dr. Wolfe-Taylor enjoys researching ethical and equitable AI in social work, mental health, and health education and practices. She also enjoys researching new, cost-effective and accessible tech innovations for education and practice.
Teaching Interests
Foundations of e-Social Work Practices
e-Social Work Practice with Individuals and Groups
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
Professional Practice I and II
Executive Leadership
Grief and Loss
Awards and Honors
- Curriculum Enhancement Grant
2017 - IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning
Publications
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N. (2023). Constructing the Future of Social Work Tech Habits of Mind with the Ethical OS. Advances in Social Work. Published. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18060/24978
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., Khaja, K., & Deck, C. K. (2023). Bridging Education and Practice with e-OSCE Simulations (pp. 163-168). NASW Press.
Advances in technology, expanding distance education course offerings, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional teaching styles, and strategies for meeting the needs of the students and social service agencies in their implementation of training for social work practice (Wolfe-Taylor et al., 2022). This has led to an increased emphasis by social work educators to explore and share the outcomes of simulation-based learning opportunities for preparing students for the field. Prior to the pandemic, Dodd et al. (2018) discussed the need for interactive, engaging, and immersive simulations, facilitated by modern technology to bridge the gap between knowledge and skills in social work education. However, post-pandemic, minimal research exists on social work students’ perspectives and experiences participating in online simulation-based learning opportunities.
One form of online simulation-based learning is electronic objective, structured clinical examination (e-OSCE)., This chapter will share findings from a qualitative case study that was conducted with online MSW students’ experiences and perspectives on completing and participating in an online e-OSCE. -
Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., Khaja, K., Wilkerson, D. A., & Deck, C. K. (2022). The Future of Social Work Education: A Guide to Developing, Implementing, and Assessing e-Simulations. Advances in Social Work, 22(2), 287-302. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18060/24912
Advances in technology, an increase in non-traditional students, a new generation of e-learners, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on education and practice, and the emergence of greater practitioner and client adoption of telebehavioral health present opportunities and challenges for curricular innovation in schools of social work. e-Simulations are reliable, valid, authentic high impact practices that address these challenges and prepare students for a future where social workers are called upon to adopt telebehavioral practice. Although there is literature on the development, implementation, and assessment of simulation-based learning in social work education, much of the literature explores the use of simulations in face-to-face social work education. Provided is a guide for educators and administrators on developing, implementing, and assessing online simulations (e-simulations) in social work education.
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Wilkerson, D. A., Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., Deck, C. K., Wahler, B., & Davis, T. S. (2020). Telebehavioral health practice basics for social work educators and clinicians responding to COVID-19 . Journal of Social Work Education. Published. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2020.1807926
Social Work’s Grand Challenge to Harness Technology for Social Good calls for educators to reevaluate their role and its significance for the future of social work. Information and communication technology (ICT)-mediated practice methods like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, gamification, and big data, among others, represent a new arena for social work practice. However, educators have been mostly inactive in developing curricula that support student knowledge, training, and decision-making on the adoption of technology for practice. In the United States, the Council on Social Work Education Futures Task Force highlighted this inaction as a matter of critical uncertainty for the field’s future. In contrast, this paper describes how a school of social work rapidly deployed a free, CE training program on the basics of telebehavioral health practice to the social work community to aid their response to COVID-19. The rapid deployment of that training has been distilled as ‘lessons learned’ for those wanting to join in efforts to address the field’s critical uncertainty regarding the adoption of technology. Information is presented about the reach of this training and includes feedback from participants. Additionally, the authors discuss whether COVID-19 can influence social work’s future rate of technology adoption.
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Wilkerson, D., Wolfe-Taylor, S., & Kinney, K. (2019). Adopting e-social work practice: Pedagogical strategies for student decision-making to address technology uncertainty. Journal of Social Work Education. Published. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1661920
Presentations
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Deck, C. K. (2024). Ethics and Equity in Telehealth Practices. IU School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Deck, C. K. (2023). Ethics and Equity in Telehealth Practices. IU School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Deck, C. K. (2023). e-Social Work Practices: Creating equitable and ethical services during and post-pandemic. IUSSW, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Deck, C. K. (2022). Using design-based practices and e-simulations to prepare students for telehealth practices. CSWE.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N. (2020). Teaching social work with digital technology.
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Wilkerson, D., Wolfe-Taylor, S., Brown, J., & Fitcher, D. (2019). Hi-Tech, Lo-Tech, or No-Tech? —Educators’ Role and the Future of Social Work. Council on Social Work Education, Denver, CO United States.
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Ricart, J., & Wolfe-Taylor, S. (2019). E-Orientation use of digital learning tech to reduce achievement gaps. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S., & Wilkerson, D. (2019). Telemedicine and social workers: What you need to know. NASW, Atlantic City , NJ United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S., & Wilkrson, D. (2018). OSCE development, implementation, and evaluation in online graduate social work practice courses. IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. (2018). The future of social work in the era of technology. Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S., & Wilkerson, D. (2018). IUSSW MSW Direct program. Indiana University , Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S., Fultz, A., & Winters, D. (2018). Social work distance education teaching self-efficacy and interactivity. Indiana University School of Social Work , Indianapolis, United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Wilkerson, D. (2017). Assessment Innovation through Technology: Adapting OSCE Assessments for Online Social Work Programs. Council on Social Work Education, Dallas, TX United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Wilkerson, D. A. (2017). PREPARING SOCIAL WORKERS FOR TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED PRACTICE IN THE DIGITAL AGE. CSWE, Dallas, TX United States.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N., & Wilkerson, D. A. (2017). Redesigning and Rethinking OSCEs: Using Technology Innovation to Promote Practice Skills Development. Center for Teaching and Learning, Indianapolis, IN United States.
OSCEs have been used to assess students’ practice skills development since the early 1970’s. During this breakout session, attendees will have the opportunity to look at using cost-effective technology innovations to implement OSCEs into an online social work program.
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Wolfe-Taylor, S. N. (2017). How to Develop Assignments that Infuse Technology and Social Media into Online Practice Courses. Our Lady of the Lake University School of Social Work , San Antonio, TX United States.
As educators, we take pride in the dedication, enthusiasm, blood, sweat and tears we put into creating changes within course content to better meet the needs of our students, while understanding that there are political and educational policies and regulations that inform and direct our efforts to be innovative and creative. By staying at the forefront of innovation, online social work educators can create learning opportunities that are engaging and educational, while implementing innovative, technology-infused assignments that are conducive to institutional and educational standards. This presentation will demonstrate some practical, yet innovative ways to infuse technology and social media into assignments that will engage, educate and prepare social work students for individual, group and community practice.
Contract Fellowship Grants
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Fostering Excellence in Social Work Education: Leveraging AI-driven Innovations to Empower the Future of Practice
Samantha Wolfe-Taylor
Mentor: Sadaaki Fukui -
Fostering Excellence in Social Work Education: Leveraging AI-driven Innovations to Empower the Future of Practice
Co-PD/PI: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor
Mentor: Sadaaki Fukui -
1st Year Research Immersion Program
Mentor: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor -
Telebehavioral Practice Basics for Social Work Educators & Clinicians Responding to COVID-19 Educational Program
Co-PD/PI: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor -
Creating High-impact Learning Opportunities through Asynchronous e- Simulations
Co-PD/PI: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor -
Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program
Program Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI): Jessica Lee
Supporting Personnel: David Wilkerson
Supporting Personnel: Betty Walton
Supporting Personnel: Joan Carlson
Supporting Personnel: Erika Galyean
Supporting Personnel: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor
Supporting Personnel: John Keesler
Supporting Personnel: Edward Fitz Gerald -
Social Work Health Futures Fellowship
Co-PD/PI: Samantha Wolfe-Taylor -
OSCE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT IN ONLINE GRADUATE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COURSES
Program Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI): Samantha Wolfe-Taylor
Co-PD/PI: David Wilkerson
Clinical Services
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Telebehavioral Health Clinician
2020 - Indiana COVID Response TeamVolunteer as a telebehavioral health clinician that responds to mental health and health organizations in need of a clinician to provide crisis intervention and bereavement services to the patients, their family members, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Clinical Supervisor for Social Work Clinical Licensure
2018 - Clinical Supervisor for LicensureServe as a supervisor for clinical licensure for 1 MSW holding practitioner seeking to pursue state licensure.
Institutional Services
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Committee Member
2020 - Course Lead CommitteeIdentify lead faculty for course design and policies and recommendations for course design. -
Committee Chair
2019 - Strategic Planning SubcommitteeChair the Strategic Planning Subcommittee on Cluster #5-Engaging High Quality Students -
Committee Member
2019 - Strategic Planning SubcommitteeWorked in collaboration with the Chair and other committee members in developing goals/objectives/measurements/timelines for Cluster #6 of the Strategic Plan -
Committee Member
2018 - IUSSW Strategic Planning CommitteeWork in collaboration with the Dean, Associate Dean, and fellow committee members on creating and supporting the strategic planning processes for IUSSW. -
Committee Member
2017 - IFC Distance Education Committee -
Committee Member
2017 - IUSSW Hospitality CommitteeAssisted in the travel arrangements and transportation for potential faculty traveling to Indy for interviews and presentations with IUSSW. Assisted in the transportation and entertainment of the 2017 commencement speaker. -
Task Force Member
2017 - Quality MattersWorking in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning to develop a communication standards for faculty and instructors teaching online courses at IUSSW. -
Organizer/Coordinator
2016 - Admissions for MSW DirectManage the School of Social Work Database for MSW Direct. Complete application reviews for admissions, assign reviewers to applications, design admission letters, design and distribute the orientation letters for new admissions, ensure newly admitted students provide all the necessary documents to successfully begin the MSW Direct program and provide bi-weekly reports to the Direct of MSW Direct on the data surrounding admissions. -
Faculty Governance
2016 - IUSSW Faculty Senate -
Committee Member
2016 - MSW Curriculum Committee -
Committee Member
2020 - IUSSW Scholarship Review Committee -
Task Force Member
2016 - RecruitmentCollaborate with Stacey Kalima on efforts to improve recruitment services for MSW Direct, complete online inquiries from potential applicants, and answer emails and phone calls from potential applicants on the MSW Direct program. -
Committee Chair
2020 - Search and Screening CommitteeServed as the Chair of the Search and Screen Committee for the MSW Direct Recorder position. -
Committee Member
2019 - Scholarship Review CommitteeReviewed scholarship applications for MSW students seeking scholarship funds for educational support. -
Committee Member
2019 - Center for Teaching and Learning Grant Review Committee MemberWork in collaboration with other faculty members from other disciplines in reviewing and selecting grant recipients for educational research initiatives at IUPUI. -
Committee Member
2019 - Center for Teaching and Learning -
Committee Member
2017 - Search & Screen Committee for the MSW Direct Field Coordinator & Lecturer -
Committee Member
2017 - Mental Health & Addictions Concentration CommitteeThis is a newly developed committee led by Dr. Vincent Starnino for the Mental Health and Addictions Concentration. 1st meeting will take place on 3/3/2017 and continue forward from there on the design of courses and content for mental health specializations. -
Attendee, Academic Ceremony/Event
César Chávez Day of ServiceThis is a day of service within the Indianapolis community to honor César Chávez’s life and work through the Community Service Scholars of the Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship Program. -
Committee Member
2016 - Search and Screen Committee MSW Direct Recorder Position -
Student Advisor/Mentor
2016 - Task Instructor of MSW Students in FieldSupervised, instructed, and supported graduate students in the Masters of Social Work Program at Indiana University on the IUPUI campus as they completed their practicum at Eskenazi Health. I completed quarterly assessments in the Learning Evaluation Tool (LET) to determine student progress and preparation for post-graduation practice. -
Student Advisor/Mentor
2015 - Task Instructor of MSW Students in FieldSupervised, instructed, and support was provided to graduate students in the Masters of Social Work Program at Indiana University on the IUPUI campus as they completed their practicum at Eskenazi Health. I completed quarterly assessments in the Learning Evaluation Tool (LET) to determine the students' progress and preparation for post-graduation practice. -
Committee Member
2020 - Online Education Committee
Licensure
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Certified Telemental Health Provider
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency -
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing BoardLicense #: 34007458A -
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing BoardLicense #: 33006664A
Media Appearance
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Samantha Wolfe-Taylor Selected for Social Work Health Futures Fellowship
2021 - IUSSW Blog
Read the Story Samantha Wolfe-Taylor Selected for Social Work Health Futures Fellowship -
e-Social Work Practice Certificate
2020 - Network Magazine
Read the Story e-Social Work Practice Certificate -
Telebehavioral Health — New Digital Directions for Social Work Education
2019 - Social Work Today
Read the Story Telebehavioral Health — New Digital Directions for Social Work Education
Memberships
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Council on Social Work Education
2016 to Present
Professional Services
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Committee Member
2024 to Present - CSWE APM Program Proposal ReviewerReview submitted research and presentation proposals for the CSWE APM.
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Other
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Clinical Supervisor for LCSW
2023 to Present - Clinical SupervisionProviding pro-bono weekly supervision to a LSW practitioners at the School of Dentistry, named Shelby Funk, as she trains and prepares for her LCSW.
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Committee Member
2021 to Present - Telehealth Equity CoalitionServe on the committee. Create new initiatives for advancing telehealth access, affordability, equity, and services. Research telehealth in the US.
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Reviewer, Conference Paper
2018 to Present - Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting -
Reviewer, Journal Article
2017 to Present - Perspectives on Social WorkArticles are assigned to me for review based upon topics in my area of expertise (NICU, Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Online Higher Education, Telebehavioral Health Practices, Practice Evaluation, OSCE, Online Social Work Practice).
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Reviewer, Journal Article
2017 to Present - Advances in Social WorkArticles are assigned to me for review based upon topics in my area of expertise (NICU, Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Online Higher Education, Telebehavioral Health Practices, Practice Evaluation, OSCE, Online Social Work Practice).
Public Services
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Volunteer
2023 to Present - Keep Indianapolis BeautifulAssist in the cleanup of local areas while also working to plant additional trees in the city.
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Volunteer
2023 to Present - Catholic AlliesAssisted in the set up and tear down of events held by Catholic Allies within the community.
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Other
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Research Assistant
2017 to 2018 - Mission IndyCollaborate with the Mission Indy team to develop a research project and survey to determine community needs, community involvement, and service opportunities.
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Board Member
2016 to 2017 - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana Chapter
Trainings
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Social Work Health Futures Fellow
2020 to 2022 - Portland State University, Portland, OR, United StatesFellowship and training on Futures work as it relates to social work health and practices, specifically as it relates to technologies impact on the field and services. There are activities, events, required research, and required bi-weekly meetings and training activities.