SERVICE-LEARNING IN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION TO DEVELOP SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The paper deals with service-learning as a teaching and learning approach in higher education being embedded in social work education seeking to achieve the synergy of the two reciprocally complementing and contributing phenomena. The aim of the theoretical investigation is to overview the concept of social work education as facilitated by service-learning to develop social work competencies in university students. The contribution of service-learning in delivering social work education curricula usually emphasises the development of core competencies and values in social work students, prospective professionals. The contemporary challenges, expectations and contextual demands are set for the social work profession both globally and locally. Therefore, the present research attempts to explore how the two concepts are bridged to meet for the development of social work competencies in university students and shares the insights on the implementation of this pedagogical approach in academic and broader community contexts.

Keywords

• higher education
• pedagogical approach
• service-learning
• social work competencies
• social work education