The Benefits of Social Work Student Participation in Group Work Practicum

Mariëtte Joubert, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State (South Africa)

This presentation outlines an evaluation study completed with University of the Free State Social Work students to evaluate first- and second-year social work students’ experience of being participants in groups presented by third-year social work students. Results indicated positive experiences for the junior social work students as they gained life skills and ultimately, it contributed to there professional development as future social workers.

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Presentation Description:

Aim: To evaluate first- and second-year social work students’ experience of being participants of groups presented by third-year social work students. Background: The University of the Free State third-year social work students have to do group work practicum as part of the curriculum outcomes. In 2022, it was decided that the first- and second-year social work students would be the group members. The students were returning to face-to-face classes and adaption challenges had been identified. Furthermore, the first-year students struggled with transitioning from high school to tertiary education. 

Methodology: Quantitative data were collected among all the group participants by means of a voluntary online self-administered questionnaire.  

Results: 45 students participated in the study. The results indicated that 80% of the students were part of a group for the first time. The majority of the students reported that they experienced the group positively and are now able to adapt better to their new tertiary environment. 89% indicated that they would want to be part of a group again as they understand the benefits of group work. They also feel more comfortable being group facilitators in their third year as they had the opportunity to observe how the third-year social work students conduct the group sessions.  

Conclusion: It can be concluded that it is beneficial for junior social work students to be participants in senior social work students groups as they as equipped with life skills to adapt to their new environment, they develop relationships with various year groups of student social workers and learned how to implement the group work theory into practice.

References:
  • Antony, S. 2020. Social Group Work: Guidance for Practice. ResearchGate. Accessed from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339727452_Social_Group_Work_Guidance_for_Practice?channel=doi&linkId=5e6192fa92851c7d6f259bd6&showFulltext=true
  • Bhattacherjee, A., 2012. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods and Practices. 2nd ed. Florida: University of South Florida.
  • Love, C., 2014. 5 Reasons to use Google Forms with your students. [Online] Available at: https://www.technokids.com/blog/apps/reasons-to-use-google-forms-with-your-students/ [Accessed 27 07 2022].
  • Toseland, R.W. and Rivas, R.F. 2021. Introduction to Group Work Practice, An, 8th edition. Pearson.

 

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