Assessment and re-design of learning activities from young social work students’ perceptions and experiences: an empirical study on the subject “social work with groups” of the University of Alicante (Spain)

ABSTRACT

Background. This article aims to incorporate students’ visions in the design of learning activities based on an analysis of their perceptions and evaluations of their experience working in small groups carried out in the subject ”Social Work with Groups” of a Social Work Program (University of Alicante, Spain). Method. We followed a quantitative approach, using a survey to collect data. Participants were social work students (n = 69). Univariate and bivariate data analysis was carried out, and we used parametric and non-parametric tests, depending on the group sample size. Results. Students believe that the activity contributes to achievement of learning objectives and skill and content acquisition and consolidation. Global satisfaction with the evaluation system and the activity was adequate. We found some differences by group in terms of associations between perception and satisfaction and some sociodemographic and academic variables. Conclusion. The experience was evaluated positively by the students. The activity design puts students at the center of the teaching and learning process.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work with groups
• learning activities
• students’ perception
• group work
• students
• empirical study

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to all students who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yolanda Domenech-López

Yolanda Domenech-López PhD, Social Worker, Sociologist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Services, Faculty of Economics, University of Alicante, Spain. Her research is focused on social work with groups, social exclusion and social services. She has been teaching the Social Work with Groups course since 1995 in the Social Work Program of the University of Alicante. She combines her teaching work with research and management activities. Director of the Department of Social Work and Social Services of the University of Alicante (2009-2017). President of the Conference of Deans and Social Work Directors of Spanish Universities (2013-2015). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4845-4410.

Víctor M. Giménez-Bertomeu

Víctor M. Giménez-Bertomeu, PhD, Social Worker, Sociologist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Services, Faculty of Economics, University of Alicante, Spain. Prior to working in social work education, he worked as social worker and team manager in the social services of the city of Alicante (Spain). His teaching interests focus on social work research, social work with organizations and social services. His main research interests include development and validation of standardized instruments for social work assessment, users’ participation at macro and micro levels, social work practice and organizational contexts, teaching practice in social work, and social work research. He has served as Vice-Dean of Social Work Field Practice (2008-2010) and Vice-Dean of Social Work (2010-2018) at the University of Alicante (Spain). http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7405-4090