Learning About Trauma, Online: What Works and What Is?

Abstract

Trauma-informed care guides a growing approach to practice across the field of human services and, as such, increasing efforts have been made to integrate a trauma-informed orientation into post-secondary human service programs. While most approaches to teaching trauma-education are designed for in-person instruction, online training programs are increasingly being employed. However, there are questions about the effectiveness of teaching for this particular topic online. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the impact of learning about trauma-informed practice online. Specifically, by asking “what works?” and “what is?,” the authors assessed the effectiveness of an online training program, called Being Trauma Aware, to teach about trauma-informed care and prepare post-secondary students for their field of practice. Findings reveal that Being Trauma Aware provides foundational knowledge on trauma-informed practice and develops competence and confidence in future practitioners. The training also increases students’ preparedness for the field, shifting their approach when working with children and youth. Future research can further explore whether online learning facilitates the transfer of knowledge to the field, connecting theory to practice.