Teaching disability using problem-based learning in the international context: utility for social work

ABSTRACT

Through their anti-oppressive professional practice and commitment to social justice and human rights, social workers can ensure people with disability exercise voice and agency and claim full citizenship in society. Yet, international research shows that ‘disability’ is often inadequately included in social work education, and that students may not graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to engage appropriately with people with disability. This article evaluates the effectiveness of using a short five-day hybrid course that integrated problem-based learning (PBL) and traditional teaching methods to deliver disability content to 42 German social work students. A qualitative SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) method was utilised. Written responses from students were collected and thematically analysed. The analysis indicated that the PBL format was well-liked by students, many of whom showed evidence of increased self-directed and deep learning, better communication skills, and synthesis of theory and practice. Importantly, students were able to internationally contextualise and challenge discourses that perpetrated stigma and discrimination, positioning them as effective advocates for people with disability. The social justice focus of social work justifies the inclusion of the critical examination of the lived experience of people with disability in social work curriculum. The research findings suggest that PBL short courses can provide an effective and flexible means of delivering disability content in social work education.

KEYWORDS:

• Problem-based learning
• teaching
• social work
• disability
• evaluation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicole Edwards

Dr Niki Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. Her teaching responsibilities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels include social work and human services students, and past involvement in the education of medical students and trainee psychiatrists. She was appointed to the position of Coordinator of the Undergraduate Social Work Programs in 2012 – current. Early in her career, Dr Edwards worked in psychiatric services as people with disabilities moved from institutional care/community development. Later, she worked clinically in hospital and rehabilitation settings and in public policy and public administration across government portfolios including family services, community services, disability and mental health.

Julie King

Dr Julie King is a lecturer in the School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. Dr King is a medical anthropologist with a strong interest in disability and gender in low- and middle-income countries. She takes a human rights and inclusive development approach to working in numerous countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa. She has researched in Thailand and Cambodia and conducted training in Nepal, Fiji, Cambodia and Tanzania in the areas of disability, human rights and gender. Throughout her career, Dr King led the design and development of many Department of Defence and Trade Australia Award Fellowships for participants from Africa, Asia and the Pacific in areas of disability, gender and inclusive disaster management.

Sabine Pfeffer

Sabine Pfeffer, Professor of Law and Dean of Students, Fulda University, Germany. 2019 Visiting Professor at the School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.

Esha Lovric

Esha Lovric, Research Assistant, Sessional Academic and PhD Candidate at the School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.

Hanna Watling

Dr Hanna Watling is a Research Officer with the School of Public Health & Social Work both located at Queensland University of Technology. Her previous work has included national and cross-national comparisons and collaborations on topics such as alcohol use, drink driving, and discrimination. Most recently, she has been involved in research projects exploring human rights and social justice issues with a focus on gender-based oppression, disability rights, and the nexus between the two.