From Social Work Practice to Teaching the Practice of Social Work

Abstract

Similarities between social work practice and the teaching of social work practice offer opportunities to discuss how these commonalities evolve through interactions in the classroom. This article emphasizes working within a time- and goal-specific framework in both class and field; a conscious use of oneself as a role model; and the teaching of specific practice skills by focusing on group processes in the classroom. Understanding the parallels between practice and teaching can enhance the confidence and competence of instructors and students as together they use the classroom to teach and learn social work principles, values, and skills.