Fostering awareness of self in the education of social work students by means of critical reflectivity

Sandra Berna Ferreira,Regardt Jacobus Ferreira

doi:10.15270/55-2-679

Abstract

Fostering awareness of self in the education of social work students has focused primarily on a micro-conceptualisation of the self, which implies that the attention was, and still is, mainly on the intrapsychic processes brought about by theory and field practicum. The main argument is that the self should also encompass a macro-conceptualisation, where students have to ask themselves how they contribute to the maintenance of societal structures and how these structures influence them in the forming of their assumptions and belief systems about the self and the world. Three categories of critical-reflectivity questions asked about a parable on death and dying in a class discussion can sensitise students about the self as a product and a co-creator of society in the grieving process. These questions furthermore resonate an African-centred world view in the understanding of the self.

Highlights

One of the core aims of social work education is the development and consolidation of a professional identity as a social worker
Self-knowledge starts with self-awareness, which Kondrat (1999:451) defines as a necessary condition for competent social work practice
A modality for accomplishing this on the part of social work educators is to engage the student in the practice of critical reflectivity during the process of developing awareness of self for the professional self

Summary

Introduction

One of the core aims of social work education is the development and consolidation of a professional identity as a social worker. Self-knowledge starts with self-awareness, which Kondrat (1999:451) defines as a necessary condition for competent social work practice. Several tools and strategies are used to enhance the vital skill of self-awareness (Kaushik, 2017:24). In their enhanced conceptual framework on social work’s signature pedagogy, Larrison and Korr (2013: 200-201) focus on, amongst other things, the development of the professional self. A modality for accomplishing this on the part of social work educators is to engage the student in the practice of critical reflectivity during the process of developing awareness of self for the professional self

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion