The Faculty of Health

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The Faculty of Health Social CareThe Open
UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AA

• www.open.ac.uk

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Enhancing Students Ability to Apply Theory to
Practice

• Janet Seden and Sandy Sieminski

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Aims of the Research (1)

• Investigate the methods used by associate
  lecturers to teach theory practice links during
  the study of the course K216 Applied Social Work
  Practice
• Critically evaluate how useful the methods are
  perceived to be by the associate lecturers

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Aims of the Research (2)

• Explore how this aspect of delivery of the course
  pedagogy might be enhanced or developed
• Disseminate the findings to other stakeholders in
  K216 (practice assessors, programme tutors,
  colleagues on related courses, other social work
  programmes)

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Context

• OU Social Work Programme and Staff
• Programme tutors
• Associate lecturers (course tutors)
• Practice assessors and workplace supervisors
• Characteristics of Students

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Method

• Study day with tutor champions
• Appreciative Inquiry approach (what works)
• Helpful teaching practices and their development
• Transferable methods and themes

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Creative Teaching Strategies

• Working with resistance to reflection
• Supporting reflection on self
• Building confidence
• Using case studies and scenarios
• Sharing practice examples

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Barriers to Learning

• The relevance of theory to practice
• Agency climates
• Individual learner assumptions

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Cross-cutting Issues

• Overcoming barriers
• Building confidence
• Teaching methods
• The Teaching team