Competency- Based Capstone Projects: Service Learning in BSW Field Practica

Abstract

Although field education is in itself a pedagogical approach, other pedagogies can assist in and strengthen the field-learning experience. One such pedagogy is service learning. Service learning has been described as an experiential teaching approach that engages students in addressing community needs. Additionally, the service must support learning objectives within the course, as students reflect on their experience related to course objectives and reach a broader understanding of their profession and community life. Service learning can be offered as a component of field education via a service-learning capstone project (SLCP) that is competency-based. This article will examine the extant literature on service learning within the social work curriculum. Subsequently, a pedagogical model will be presented that embeds an SLCP within a BSW field practicum. Instructions, examples of completed SLCPs, an evaluative format for an SLCP presentation, and evaluative tools to measure impact of SLCPs on students a...