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The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton. Transforming Lives, inspiring change. Experiencing social work education in England. Angie Bartoli Sue Kennedy Prospera Tedam. JSWEC 10 TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. An African student perspective. Aims and objectives.

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The University of Northampton

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  1. The University of Northampton Transforming Lives, inspiring change

  2. Experiencing social work education in England Angie Bartoli Sue Kennedy Prospera Tedam JSWEC 10TH ANNUALCONFERENCE An African student perspective

  3. Aims and objectives • Develop understanding of African student perspectives: - graduate programme - practice learning - post qualifying learning • Share findings of study • Identify support and development initiatives

  4. Background • Our experience • Growing number of students (nationally and locally) • Lack of specific literature • Which students?

  5. Workshop style • Share our experience • Reflective questions

  6. Our Students Ghana Nigeria Cameroon Zimbabwe

  7. Study: Methodology • Quantitative Data Available data (student population, grades) • Qualitative Data Focus group Control group Questionnaires

  8. Findings: Qualifying programme Level One • Unprepared for pace and depth of study • Challenge of first assignment • 5-day shadow placement adding anxiety • “lagging behind” • Additional commitments

  9. Level Two • Demands to become more analytical, critical and independent thinkers • “steep learning curve” • “playing catch up” • Research Methods module most challenging • Direct Work with Service Users module most enjoyable

  10. Level Three • Pressure of workload

  11. Learning strategies • Familiar with a traditional teaching style where the “teacher knows best” • “at home we are not taught to argue or share our views with our teachers” • Familiar with tests/exam situations

  12. What the study revealed : academic work • Despite finding the IT Module most difficult, the outcomes do not reflect the struggles connected with the data • 86% of African students failed at least one piece of assessed work (control group 14%) • 21% (almost one quarter) African Students has failed one of more piece of assessment (control group – none failed more than one)

  13. Teaching strategies and support • Range of assessment and teaching strategies • Individual tutorial support • Signposted to additional support for academic writing, referencing and library tours • Development of culturally familiar case studies • Students “should be encouraged to examine and apply the concepts, theories, models and strategies in the societal context of their home country.” (Rai, 2000:26)

  14. Reflective question What is your experience of social work (academic) education from an African student perspective?

  15. Practice Learning: the ‘other’ world • “Another world” • Of the failed placements, 50% of these students are African (misrepresentation) • All women

  16. Emerging themes • Gender • Finances • Health • Homesickness • Lack of practice experience • Cultural diversity “culturally taboo for me to interrogate someone about their family” • Motivation to study social work • Racism and “nipped wings”

  17. Reflective question: Practice Learning : Who is failing to adapt?

  18. PQ Social Work Education: African Ideas Challenges • ‘Reasoning my culture out of me’ • Written expression and skills • Analytical thinking based on belief of colonial cultural superiority • Lack of recognition of life experience • ‘reducing’ and undermining self esteem and confidence • Assessing practice standards in the modernising agenda

  19. PQ Social Work Education: African Ideas What worked • Context setting • Challenging critical thinking about ‘consent’ • Understanding the child in their environment • Phenomenology – Creativity, Imagination and Art

  20. How do we support the importance of international life experiences within the curriculum

  21. Support and development initiatives • Mentoring Scheme • “shadow experience” • ‘Padare’ group • Practice learning opportunities with African community groups and organisations • National Conference to disseminate good practice • Incorporate international perspectives into social work education modules • Review assessment strategies • Build a library of relevant African authors • Training and support for Practice Teachers/Assessors

  22. Final reflection . . . . Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone. Let the guest come so that the host or hostess may benefit Swahili (Eastern and Central Africa) Proverb

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