SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

Social Work Practice



Social Work Practice

Question 1:

Reflective practice is a process in which “we learn by thinking about things that have happened to us and seeing them in a different way, which enables us to take some action” (Jasper, 2003, 2). In other words, it is “the ability to stand back and look critically at one's own practice” (Pierson and Thomas, 2002, 396).

The strength of this process is that a person can critically analyze the incidents and mistakes as stimuli for a reflective practice, and then analyze the whole situation and see where things can go right. The weakness of this process may be that the individual does not accept any of his mistakes and is adamant that he or she is on the right path.

Argyris and Schon

Argyris and Schon were the pioneers of the idea that promoted single and double loop learning in the year 1978. The theory revolves around the blocks of recognition and amendment of the wrongly perceived. The concept of single loop learning is where an institution, organization or a doctor, even after making an error and amending the mistake, still continue to practice the current strategies and techniques when put into the same situation again. In the scenario of double learning loop works on the basis of modification and implementation of improvised strategies and policies when facing a si8milar situation within the use of new framing system.

Schon personally introduced the concept called 'Reflection-in-Action'. The concept is well understood by an individual's ability to 'think on their feet' or, in other words, known as 'felt-knowing'. The key concept explains the idea that a doctor attempts to connect with the emotions, feelings and experiences from the past of the patient. On the other hand, reflection-in-action displays the idea that after experience, an individual or doctor evaluates his or her reaction within the specified situation and look for reasons and consequences of their action. This is usually in the documented from and known as the reflection of the situation (Jay et al., 2008, 56-61).



Kolb 1984

Kolb was under great influence of the researches of Dewey and Piaget conducted in the early years of 1970's. The learning model introduced by Kolb, also known as the Kolb model, presents the reflective learning and revolves around the phenomena of transforming information into knowledge. This is a result of the after effects of the situation that has previously occurred and leaves an impact on the understanding and general experience gained during the experiment. This experience is then implemented in new situations. This is how you gain knowledge and understanding of the situations that are continuously applied as the situations are dealt by the doctors.

Question 2:

Needs assessment is an organized process which used to determine and address, or the discrepancy between the current and the desired conditions. The gap between the current and the desired conditions must be evaluated properly in order to identify the needs. The need can be of correcting a deficiency or the need to improve the ...