Organizing Cyberspace: Strategies for Teaching About Community Practice and Technology

Summary

The coming millennium will bring new challenges and opportunities to those who struggle for the survival of communities. The incorporation of information technology is important to the conduct and teaching of community practice. This paper discusses how technology is changing community practice and considers the implications for social work education. The paper has three parts. First, it will consider the role of information technology in changing the context for community practice. Second, it will examine the incorporation of information technology into current and emergent community practice interventions. Finally, the paper will explore ways that these issues can be taught within the community practice curriculum.     

Social psychology of a learning environment and the acquisition of critical thinking skills

The research reported in this paper was designed to examine whether or not a group of mature students studying for the Higher National Certificate (Social Care) could be encouraged to acquire critical thinking skills through an attempt to create a non-oppressive teaching/learning environment. The research took place over a series of nine weekly sociology lectures; each student's written assessment at the conclusion of teaching was examined for evidence of critical thinking skills as were their client-focussed studies which required integration of theory and practice. In addition the students were interviewed regarding their experiences of the teaching environment. The focus of discussion was the oppressive nature of a classroom environment and ways in which lecturers affect that oppression. A fundamental assumption is that critical thinking skills are not best achieved in an oppressive environment. If students are encouraged to be critical thinkers, not only should they take responsibility for their own learning but for the focus and content of the curriculum as well.     

Outcomes of Law Teaching in Social Work Education: Further Findings from a Cohort Study

This paper reports further findings from research on the outcomes of teaching law to social work students on UK programmes. This paper compares the results for students on undergraduate and postgraduate routes to an initial social work qualification. It also analyses the similarities and differences in outcomes between the seven universities that participated in the study. Statistical analysis of students' self-audits of their legal knowledge, skills for practising social work law, and their perceptions of the relationship between law and practice, is explored further by drawing on observations from students in focus groups and interviews with their tutors. The differences which emerge between undergraduate and postgraduate students highlight the importance of practice learning opportunities in reinforcing acquired legal knowledge and in developing skills for applying that knowledge in practice. Law teaching can clearly be seen to impact on confidence levels but to be constrained by lack of time and sustained focus throughout the overall curriculum. The similarities of outcome between different universities suggest the impact of particular orientations towards, and an acknowledged core curriculum for, teaching law within the academic curriculum.     

Areas of Concentration in the Graduate Curriculum : A Three-Dimensional Model

“Areas of concentration” has been identified as an organizing concept around which the graduate social work curriculum may be restructured. The evident need for correspondence and congruence between social work practice specializations and educational areas of concentration suggests the utility of analyzing the various ways in which social work practice has been conceptualized over time. This analysis has revealed an irreducible minimum of three major dimensions of social work practice which, in various combinations, provide a three-dimensional model for identifying areas of concentration in the graduate social work curriculum.     

Preparing for social work with refugees using enquiry and action learning

Internationally there is a need for social workers to be prepared to work with refugees and displaced persons. In many countries including the UK it may be difficult to ensure this is included in basic professional courses, especially if these are based on traditional disciplines, or if curriculum content is already overloaded. An approach to learning is described which is problem-led, and based on self-directed small group study, through which teaching and learning about work with refugees has successfully been included at a British school of social work.     

Faculty Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Web-Based Instruction in Social Work Education: A National Study

SUMMARY

This paper presents the findings of a national study that examined the perceptions of faculty with Web-based teaching experience concerning the effectiveness of Web-based instruction as compared to face-to-face instruction in social work education. The findings suggest that faculty perceived face-to-face instruction to be more effective than Web-based instruction in all curriculum areas. However, the extent of perceived effectiveness of Web-based instruction varied by curriculum area. Also, online teaching in areas such as practice was viewed as least effective, suggesting that the traditional “no significant difference” conclusions between face-to-face and online teaching need to be examined more closely.     

The ‘international dimension’ in social work education: current developments in England

As our awareness of the impact of globalising trends has increased, so too has social work's interest in international issues grown. At the same time, concerns have been raised about what constitutes international social work, and how this ‘international dimension’ might be introduced to social work students as part of their preparation for practice. This paper reports on a recently completed study which explored the different ways in which international issues are being addressed in social work programmes leading to the newly established three-year degree in social work across the UK. Based on an email survey of accredited programmes in England, plus a small number of follow-up interviews, findings are presented on the different approaches and innovations adopted in the development of curriculum with an international perspective. Discussion focuses on possible factors promoting and/or inhibiting the development of an international dimension within the qualifying curriculum. The paper concludes with some observations on how the different understandings of ‘international social work’ can contribute to a greater appreciation of global problems and alternative ways of responding to social needs at local, national and international levels.     

‘What shall I pack in my suitcase?’: the role of work-integrated learning in sustaining social work students’ professional identity

Interest in the reflective practitioner as a model of a ‘good professional’ has increased in several professional fields and is also valued within social work education as a key aspiration to address the uncertainties and challenges encountered in contemporary working environments. Reflecting on their own professional identity, as well as theories, values, and devices used in professional practice, can help practitioners deal with complex work demands and help students be better equipped to transition from university to work. Work-integrated learning (WIL) provides students with an opportunity to integrate academic learning with ‘real-world’ experiences to develop both valuable self-monitoring and professional self-constructive ability. This paper presents a case study in social work higher education in which WIL class-based teaching was combined with the use of reflective journals to explore the role of WIL in developing reflective practices for professional identity formation. 21 reflective journals by social work students are analysed. The findings suggest that teaching practices based on WIL enable professional identity formation by developing reflective practices, and that different learning conditions sustain specific dimensions of professional identity, i.e. professional expertise, membership to a professional community and sense of professional self.     

Practice experience and social work education

Abstract

This paper examines the arguments that are often put in favour of social work academics having direct practice experience in order to enhance their teaching effectiveness. The paper looks at the number of ways that social work academics can gain up to date knowledge of practice developments and explores what constitutes an effective teacher. It concludes that recent direct practice experience will be of limited use in assisting social work academics to become effective teachers and that there are other ways that academics can become aware of practice developments that are in line with the other professional requirements on academics such as research and knowledge generation.     

Translating knowledge into practice: using simulation to enhance mental health competence through social work education

ABSTRACT

Simulation-based learning (SBL) is an innovative experiential teaching method where students and instructors interact with a simulated client to foster students’ holistic competence in practice. Considering the context of North America where social workers are the largest service provider in the field of mental health, it is critical for educators to enhance competencies in students during the social work program. Guided by competency- and simulation-based, adult learning frameworks, this paper illustrates the development and integration of a range of educational activities into a treatment-focused advanced mental health course in the social work curriculum. We conclude by discussing how SBL enhances students’ mental health competence and provide recommendations when developing SBL in the mental health curriculum in social work education.     

Educating a New Generation of Social Workers: Challenges and Skills Needed for Contemporary Agency-Based Practice

Schools of social work are continually challenged to provide professional training which effectively prepares students for the ever-changing and increasingly demanding contemporary practice context. This paper provides an overview of emerging clinical, organizational, and research trends and challenges within agency-based social work practice in the past decade. Implications of these changes for the profession will be discussed and recommendations will be offered for ways in which academic and field educators can best equip social work students with the skills needed to meet these challenges of the current agency-based practice context. These recommendations for social work practice, education, and research include the development of an integrated set of clinical, organizational, and research skills; directions for curriculum renewal and expansion; and academic field partnerships for future research.     

基于职业工作过程的高职计算机基础课程教学改革实践

当前基于工作过程的课程体系建设已经成为我国高职教育课程发展的重要方向。文章针对计算机基础课程教学中面临的主要问题,结合实际的教学实践,对基于职业工作过程的高职计算机基础课程教学改革进行了探讨。     

项目化高职文秘职业英语口语课程开发研究

目前高职大量课程不能完全适应社会的需要、学生技能下降、就业困难等问题层出不穷。按项目流程改革课程体系,从课程开发、课程模式、课程内容与手段、课程评估多方面入手,建立起以项目带动、工作流程、系统化的课程,构建项目化教学体系是高职课改的关键。文章以《文秘职业实用口语》为例进行研究。     

Adult learning styles: Implications for practice teaching in social work

This paper focuses on the current aspiration to further the process of continuing professional development in social work. It contends that knowledge from the field of adult learning theory may be helpful in sign-posting some tangible ways forward here. The particular emphasis is on critically assessing the usefulness of identifying learning styles as indicators of preferred ways of learning. Knowledge of learning styles is explored as one way of promoting students' learning on practice placements. A small-scale qualitative research study with a group of practice teachers and their students is presented as a vehicle for exploring this new terrain in social work. The findings of this research build on key themes identified by the current literature in this area. The author's findings suggest that information about learning styles has direct practical application in the social work practice teaching arena. The data points to the potential value of using such information to guide students' learning on practice placements and has relevance to considerations of their continuing professional development. Suggestions are put forward to highlight how practice teaching and Diploma in Social Work programmes could facilitate this process. The paper stresses the over-riding need to view students as actors in a broader social context, however, and highlights how information regarding learning styles needs to be utilised in this context.     

Lessons Learned: Pedagogical Tensions and Struggles with Instruction on Multiculturalism in Social Work Education Programs

While the importance of multiculturalism to social work education and practice has been extensively theorized in the social work literature, very little empirical attention has been paid to the concrete experiences of social work students within the classroom. The socializing influence of pedagogy is one aspect of the professionalization process that must be considered in addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in graduate education programs. This article addresses this gap by describing and analyzing the narratives of 15 minority graduate social work students. It examines their perception and experiences with instruction on multiculturalism with the graduate curriculum and the meaning they assign to these experiences. Their narratives illuminate the myriad ways that the curriculum excludes minority students and reproduces social inequality. Social work education has a responsibility to eliminate racism and inequality from the content of its courses and in its teaching methods. The identification of these negative socializing messages may assist educators in structuring curricular and pedagogical practices that can facilitate the academic success of all students.     

Family Therapy in the Social Work Curriculum

This paper utilizes a family systems perspective to discuss the ways in which family therapy may or may not fit in the social work curriculum. Specific issues addressed include those of professional identity, alternative epistemologies and valid ways of knowing, as well as the tension between research and practice. It is concluded that such issues cease to exist when one adopts a metaperspective according to which differences are understood as logical complements.     

Express

This paper describes an integrated approach to teaching social policy within a unique experience-based social work education program. It argues that the teaching of social policy should not be separate within the social work curriculum and provides an example of the integration of policy and practice in teaching students about child protection. It examines the teaching of policy practice using a strengths perspective where it is seen as a bottom-up, inductive process rather than an activity carried out by social work experts with or without the participation of their client groups.     

Youthscaping Our Classrooms: Nurturing Youth Civic Agency Through Youth-Centered Pedagogies

Youth are an ever-present component of conversations about culture, interconnectedness, and its effects, especially characterized as readily consuming all that globalization has to offer them. However, opportunities to acknowledge and legitimize the civic experiences youth have and the contributions they make to society have been overlooked in our curricula. We recognize that to support a curricular reorientation to harness these experiences, social studies teachers and teacher educators need a framework for teaching that is, at heart, youth-centered in ways that go beyond merely drawing on youths' prior knowledge and experiences to leaven a prescribed curriculum. We borrow the cultural studies work on youthscapes to provide a framework for how teachers can re-imagine the lives of youth and integrate the ways in which youth are already engaged in civic action as an elemental part of the curriculum.     

高等师范院校人文地理课程教学内容与方法改革探讨

人文地理学是地理学的主要分支学科,是高师地理科学专业的核心课程,也是实现培养目标的主干课程。文章分析了目前高师人文地理学教学存在的诸多问题,如课程设置及教学内容体系与培养目标脱节、实践教学薄弱、课程实施观念和方法落后等,并着重从课程体系、教学内容创新、实践教学、教学方法等方面提出了人文地理学教学改革的方向。     

The Path to Social Work: Contextual Determinants of Career Choice among Racial/Ethnic Minority Students

While the importance of multiculturalism to social work education and practice have been extensively theorized in the social work literature, very little empirical attention has been paid to the concrete experiences of social work students with instruction on multiculturalism. The experience of students within the multicultural classroom is one aspect of the professionalization process that must be considered in addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in graduate education programs. This article addresses this gap by describing and analyzing the narratives of 15 minority graduate social work students. It examines their perception and experiences with the graduate multicultural curriculum and the meaning they assign to these experiences. Their narratives illuminate the myriad ways that the curriculum excludes minority students and reproduces social inequality. Social work education has a responsibility to eliminate racism and inequality from the content of its courses and in its teaching methodologies. The identification of these negative socializing messages may assist educators in structuring curricular and pedagogical practices that are compatible with the multiethnic groups that both serve and are served by the profession.