Social Work And Service Learning

This volume applies the service-learning pedagogical approach to the social work curriculum. Its aim is to familiarize social work educators and practitioners with the approach's conceptual and theoretical underpinnings, to illustrate how service learning may be implemented in any of the Council on Social Work Education curriculum content areas, and to suggest methods for assessing the outcomes of these experiences. The book's subject matter is relevant to both baccalaureate and master's level social work education.

This book includes conceptual chapters that define social work service learning in contrast to fieldwork, examine its place in the curriculum, and explore how and when to implement service learning into course curricula. A second section features models for service-learning courses, such as service learning in a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) context, as well as in a program for students in a camp for HIV-affected families.

′Experiencing Social Work provides a refreshing change in the expanse of social work education texts. Its focus on learning from people who had received a good service from social workers drew out many of the foundation blocks of practice that can so easily be minimised in favour of ′deeper academic theories′. In short, it reminded me of my own passion for practice and the privilege it is to be part of the social work profession′ - Kay Wall, Lecturer in Social Work In this book people tell their stories of positive social work and the difference it has made to their lives. The book was inspired by the belief that we can learn more from what goes right than what goes wrong. Follow the stories in each chapter to read about good practice, to reflect on the lessons learned, and to feel uplifted by social work′s potential for positive change and social justice. Other key features include: " Case examples from a wide range of service user groups, including people with mental health problems, disabilities, parenting difficulties, those living in care, those experiencing loss and other life transitions. " Commentaries that unpack the core themes and issues from each example in order to understand the experience and learn from it. " Examples of how social work students have contributed to positive change in the lives of service users. " A strong grounding in the ethical guidelines and skills base required of all social work practice. This important book will be valuable reading for all undergraduate social work students and will also be useful for qualified social workers, service users and carers. Mark Doel is based at the Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University. Lesley Best is based at the School of Health, University of Northampton.

This book establishes community engagement and service-learning as pathways to advancing human development and common good. Using the human development and capability approach as normative frameworks, with South Africa as a frame of reference, the author investigates the theoretical contributions and ultimate benefits of university-community partnerships. In doing so, this book demonstrates that three interrelated capabilities – affiliation, common good professionals and local citizenship – are developed through community engagement and service-learning. Subsequently, the notion of transformative change through community engagement and service-learning is illuminated, particularly when operating within the context of power differentials, inequality and extreme poverty. This book will be of interest and value to students and scholars of service-learning, and its implications for partnerships between universities and external communities.

This up-to-date reference work explores theories, methods and practices of social work management education in higher education. It includes contributions from more than 30 scholars and researchers in the field of social work management education from more than 10 countries and 4 continents. The work is unique as it overcomes current barriers between the different sub-disciplines of social work didactics and management education, and takes into consideration the development of a discipline-specific Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The integrated and transdisciplinary approach to social work management education presented in this edited volume is of paramount importance to international scholars, teachers, practitioners, students and all other audiences interested in the field of education. The work provides an overview of the theoretical principles on how social work management can be taught and learned, and analyzes curricula, pedagogical approaches, actors, and socio-economic and institutional contexts of social work management at higher education institutions

Excellent social work education and training is vital for ensuring best practice, and it is important to understand the key approaches and methods in order to provide the best teaching and ensure effective learning. This volume provides an overview of social work education, including the background and current context. It covers the key debates surrounding social work education, such as the evaluation of social work education, the use of IT, research-mindedness, and the effectiveness of interdisciplinary education. The book also offers guidance on effective teaching and learning approaches tailored to the needs of social work educators, covering teaching within a higher education institution, on student practice placements, and in post-qualifying settings. This will be an indispensable text for educators and trainers in the field of social work.

Service-Learning has proved to be a powerful and practical methodology and tool with far-reaching implications. Benefits have included increased civic engagement, enhanced sense of purpose, greater feeling of fulfillment, nurtured creativity, and promotion of problem-solving skills and social responsibility as traditional classrooms have moved to the communities and students have become service providers and learners. The papers in this book span a good part of the globe and cover a wide application spectrum, from health care, business administration, nursing, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy to gerontology and food service. Extended models and prototypes explored include community engaged learning, long-distance learning, and the bridge between older and younger students. In addition to current perspectives and numerous revealing case studies with local communities and international service-learning projects, thirty chapters and a reflection paper are devoted to documenting lessons learning, assessing service-learning programs, identifying new challenges, and tapping into the emerging paradigms in service-learning.

The need for more empathetic and community-focused students must begin with educators, as service-learning has begun to grow in popularity throughout the years. By implementing service and community aspects into the classroom at an early age, educators have a greater chance of influencing students and creating a new generation of service-minded individuals who care about their communities. Teachers must have the necessary skills and current information available to them to provide students with quality service learning and community engagement curricula. The Research Anthology on Service Learning and Community Engagement Teaching Practices provides a thorough investigation of the current trends, best practices, and challenges of teaching practices for service learning and community engagement. Using innovative research, it outlines the struggles, frameworks, and recommendations necessary for educators to engage students and provide them with a comprehensive education in service learning. Covering topics such as lesson planning, teacher education, and cultural humility, it is a crucial reference for educators, administrators, universities, lesson planners, researchers, academicians, and students.