Wilson, Elaine and Flanagan, Niamh
(2019)
What tools facilitate learning on placement? Findings of a social work student-to-student research study.
Social Work Education.
ISSN 0261-5476
Abstract
Social work fieldwork placements are recognized as a core element
of professional training. This article analyses the experiences of
students who have completed a social work placement, examining
tools that facilitated learning on placement. The research utilized an
innovative methodology that enabled first-year students to design
an online survey which they administered to second-year students.
Using this approach students gained research experience, and also
an insight into what assisted learning on placement. This two-phase
cross-sectional research surveyed a 2014/15 cohort of postgraduate
social work (MSW) students. This article focuses on students’ perceptions
of the tools which assisted learning on placement. The article
explores student-driven tools such as self-reflection, writing case
notes and critiquing one’s own work. Interaction with the practice
teacher, supervision and feedback were other tools discussed by the
students as well as formal inputs such as induction, training and
safety instructions. An interesting finding was that whilst students
recognized the importance of self-directed learning, many did not
engage in it routinely. Moreover, self-directed learning was, at best,
weakly correlated with perceived learning and satisfaction with the
placement. In fact, learning and satisfaction were primarily vested in
the practice teachers and other external contributors even over and
above casework.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Additional Information: |
Cite as: Elaine Wilson & Niamh Flanagan (2019) What tools facilitate learning on placement? Findings of a social work student-to-student research study, Social Work Education, DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2019.1702636 |
| Keywords: |
Practice placement; practice
learning; social work; student
experiences; autonomous
learning; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Applied Social Studies |
| Item ID: |
13993 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2019.1702636 |
| Depositing User: |
Niamh Flanagan
|
| Date Deposited: |
11 Feb 2021 16:58 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Social Work Education |
| Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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