PRODUCT EFFICACY

GENIUS IMPACT

At Genius Academy, we're dedicated to immersive, practice-based learning, supporting learners as they build real-world skills, confidence, and professional readiness.
of Immersive Practicum Lab submissions are completed in their entirety, showing strong learner engagement and follow-through.
Immersive Practicum Lab submissions include a voluntary retry, indicating learners are actively applying feedback to improve their skills.
of instructors say that Genius Academy experiences help students develop stronger critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
of Genius Academy learners rated their assessment and feedback as effective or very effective.
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ROOTED IN HISTORICAL STUDIES

Over the past decade, we've meticulously refined our curriculum strategies through comprehensive research and practical application, beginning with our trailblazing Virtual Field Placement program at the University of Southern California in 2012. This initial endeavor set the stage for the creation of the Virtual Field Experience in 2020, a fully immersive educational platform that integrates our accumulated insights and methodologies.

Under the leadership of our Vice President of Curriculum, Dr. Gary Wood, Ph.D., LCSW—who has earned the Best Practices Gold Award for Online Distance Learning Programming—our approach uniquely combines simulation with cinematic pedagogy. We've now adapted it to be seamlessly integrated into any educational program, making these validated teaching strategies accessible to learners globally.
Higher Competency Scores
The VFP group, on average, had higher mean scores for every competency and had significant higher mean score in the following competencies: social justice (p=.046), evidence-based practice (p=.023) and policy (p=.014).
Higher Performance in the Field
Overall, at the end of the fourth semester of field practicum, the VFP students performed just as well, and in some competencies higher, than their traditional student counterparts.
Increased Learning and Retention
The use of simulation is widespread in education across professions for good reasons. By definition it is an experiential activity, which enhances learning and retention. Feedback is immediately available, and mistakes are welcomes as learning opportunities.
Advantage Over On-Ground Internships
Students had significantly higher competency scores in professionalism, ethics, thinking and judgment, cultural competency, social justice, evidence-based practice, and person in environment compared to traditional students.
Comparing the competency scores of students who utilized Genius Academy curriculum versus those in traditional on-ground internships at the end of the first semester. Each competency shows a higher score for students in the Genius Academy, illustrating their enhanced performance across the board. ​
Relevant Publications by Dr. Gary Wood
The Use of Simulation Experiences to Develop Practice Skills: A Quantum Leap in Field Education(2019) Wood GT et Phillips ES In: R. Paul Maiden (ed), The Transformation of Social Work.
The Transformation of Social Work Through Virtual Learning, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
A Virtual Field Practicum: Building Core Competencies Prior to Agency Placement. (2018). PhillipsES, Wood GT, Yoo J, Ward KS, Hsiao SC, Singh MI, et Morris B. Journal of Social Work Education.
Launching the Virtual Academic Center: Issues and Challenges in Innovation. (2014). Flynn M,Maiden RP, Smith W, Wiley JT, et Wood GT. In: P.A. Kurzman and RP Maiden (eds), Distance Learningand Online Education in Social Work (pp. 118-128) London: Routledge.
Teaching MSW Social Work Practice in a Blended Online Learning Environment. (2014). LevinWhiteside & Wood, G. (2014). In: PA Kurzman and RP Maiden (ed), Distance Learning and Online Education In Social Work (pp 83-85). London: Routledge.