社会工作专业课程设置探析——以安阳师范学院为例

以安阳师范学院社会工作专业的课程设置为例,通过对课程设置的基本理念、具体方案和评估方法的详细描述,探析在社会工作职业化背景下,目前我国大陆社会工作专业课程设置的本土化模式。     

关于提高本科生专业外语学习效率的研究

在简要介绍现阶段专业外语课程基本情况的基础上,以农业水土工程专业为例,对该课程在教材选择、课时和教学方法等方面存在的主要问题进行了研究。同时结合实际教学,提出了四点改进方法,即选择专业对口、系统性和完整性较好且难易程度适中的教材;课时量应适当增多;养成良好学风及端正学习态度和灵活的教学方法等,以此顺利展开该课程的深入学习。     

Theory of change models deepen online learning evaluation

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gained traction as resources for professional development. This article presents the method that we used to evaluate a professional development MOOC for postdoctoral trainees that was created by a university consortium in the US. Most approaches to evaluating MOOCs focus on analysis of participation, outcomes from course assignments, self-reported learning outcomes, course completion and user pathways through the online content or clickstream data. Few published evaluations describe in detail how learning happens within online courses and the anticipated medium and longer term cognitive and behavioral outcomes on participants. This work aims to guide those who are designing, implementing and evaluating MOOCs through applying theories of change to focus evaluation on the process of learning. This approach can be used as a complement to traditional approaches for evaluating MOOCs. We described how we worked with the MOOC team building the content to develop a theory of change for each module (or lesson) within the MOOC and used the theory of change to guide evaluation of short and medium term participant cognitive, affective and attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes. Finally, we share lessons learned and suggestions for implementing theories of change in both the design and evaluation phases of MOOC development.     

Challenges of Critical Reflection: ‘Nothing Ventured,Nothing Gained’

This paper arises from the experiences of the authors in providing critical reflection training to social workers and health professionals. It examines the cultural challenges involved in undertaking critical reflection, and how such challenges may contribute to learning. We examine the nature of some of these risks and what might be at stake, and how we as educators might manage these in the interests of better learning. First we discuss the concept of critical reflection and the particular approach we take. We then analyse the nature of some of the risks involved by examining the cultural challenges that are at stake. Lastly we posit some strategies to reduce risk and maximise learning.

We outline three major types of cultural assumptions which are challenged by critical reflection. These include assumptions regarding interpersonal communication and dialogue, professional helping and workplace cultures, and regarding knowledge, learning, research and the place of emotions. The implications of these challenges include: the appropriateness of critical reflection for all types of learners; the need for emotional preparation for the critical reflection process; the need to emphasise the professional learning purposes; the need to clarify the use of self‐disclosure; and the need to set up an appropriate alternative cultural environment for the purpose of critical reflection.     

Engaging through Learning—Learning through Engaging: An Alternative Approach to Professional Learning about Human Diversity

This paper presents an alternative framework for construing learning about human diversity as an ongoing, socially constructed, contextual process based in relational learning. The approach enables shifts in understanding for teachers, students, practitioners, client groups and organizations. Conceived to strengthen professional social workers' capacity for on the job learning, this approach provides another entry point for social work faculty to conceptualize the learning process as relational, contextual and process based. It seeks to capitalize on the learning process itself as a mechanism through which learners simultaneously engage one another around issues of culture, identity, and difference and learn through the engagement. The approach is guided by four conceptual touchstones, 14 years of social work practice in a global context, and eight iterations of teaching a masters level diversity course. Eight constructs animate this process approach. They include: exposure, engagement, emotion, empathy, narrative, personal disposition, the learning environment, and a sense of ‘self‐in‐relation’. In addition to illuminating the social structures and social processes that construct diversity, the approach can also engender the sense of relational solidarity among learners necessary for prolonged commitment to social change.     

The reform of the welfare services in Norway: one office – one way of thinking?

This paper discusses the professional role of social workers in the new Norwegian Nav system. The Nav reform merged the state social insurance office, the state employment office and components of municipal social services. The aim is to include clients in the work force by making the services more holistic and efficient. The paper presents a discussion of the introduction of the ‘Nav reform’, drawing on a qualitative multi-method study. The material sheds light on a social worker's role under pressure to work in a more standardised and ‘simplified’ way. Social workers at the Nav offices must adjust to expectations that require a general, basic and common competence for all employees, as one type of comprehensive, but simplified and non-specialised, approach. The study describes the dilemma of how to combine one-stop service and specialist principles. The paper attempts to criticise ‘the flexible system’ related to Whole of Government perspectives and one-stop service principles as a generalist ‘light’ approach, as opposed to the generalist approach in social work. The findings provide a basis for raising questions about the development of the social worker's role in light of the post-New Public Management (NPM) reforms and the potential threat to the professional basis of social work.     

Braving Human Suffering: Death Education and its Relationship to Empathy and Mindfulness

Social workers are likely to encounter clients dealing with traumatic grief and death in their practice. Though death education has gained in popularity and acceptance, few social work students receive coursework in this area and many are unprepared to deal with their clients' and their own emotions regarding death and grief. Though death-related content may evoke provider avoidance, mindfulness and empathy may help regulate provider emotions and responses. This United States-based study evaluates the effectiveness of experiential death education on mindfulness and empathy. Measures in three separate cohorts were given at the beginning and end of the course. Results show statistically significant increases on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy, indicating that such a course may be effective in increasing both mindfulness and empathy in social work students and those in related fields.     

An Explorative Study of the Place of the Ethics of Care and Reflective Practice in Social Work Education and Practice

The moral development and identity of social work students have been shown to be enhanced by education in caring. Important aspects of this education are training in reflective practice and learning to have a perspective focused on professional loving care. In this study, we have explored how reflective processes can be implemented in both educational settings and working practice from an ethical point of view. Elaborating upon reflective practice from an ethical perspective focuses on reciprocity in relationships and relational capacity in institutional contexts. The study took the form of interviews with social work teachers and health care professionals. Interview and focus group data were analysed, three main topics were identified and statements were coded with relation to these topics. Use of both educators and practitioners in this study showed the importance of not neglecting the transition from education to practice. Responses also showed the value placed upon continuous education and development over the course of a health care professional's career.     

外国及香港政府法律顾问制度对我国内地的启示

美国、英国、新加坡以及我国香港地区都建立了完善的政府法律顾问制度。这些制度启示我们:在我国建立政府法律顾问制度,必须提升政府法律顾问的法律地位,必须推进为政府首长设立专职首席法律顾问,必须聘用大量律师为政府提供法律服务。我国已对公职律师制度进行了有益探索。尽管对这种探索还存在争议,但是法治政府建设需要法律专家协助已是一种不争的事实,其中社会律师是政府法律顾问的最佳人选。     

包头市中小学教师基于信息技术环境的专业研修情况调查

“包头地区校本培训中信息技术资源的开发与利用”课题组于2005年4月在包头市124所中小学的350名教师中进行了“基于信息技术环境下的专业研修情况”调查,结果显示:包头市中小学的现代信息技术条件已具备一定基础,绝大多数学校和教师比较重视信息技术对于教育教学及教师专业发展的作用,初步形成了使用信息技术的环境;具备了使用信息技术的一定能力,教育信息技术与教学、与教师专业研修的联系日趋紧密。存在的主要问题是:薄弱学校的信息技术条件差距较大;相当数量的教师接触的信息资源有限;好多教师对电脑的更多功能不了解、不熟悉;网络利用率偏低,而且不同学段、不同条件、不同性别、不同学科教师的使用情况存在较大差异。