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Reflective Teaching in Social Work Education: Findings From a Participatory Action Research Study
Social Work Education
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2010
Pages: 392 - 407
Sources ID: 81916
Notes: DOI 10.1080/02615479.2010.500658; ISSN 0261-5479
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
This article describes a feminist-informed reflective teaching project enacted by a group of social work faculty at Texas State University-San Marcos. Utilizing Schon's notion of reflection-in-action, faculty formed a participatory action research group to implement reflective techniques to further their professional development as new teachers and better prepare social work students for practice in the social work profession. This project guided the participants in establishing academic identity through the creation of a supportive academic setting and peer collegiality. The group met monthly to share reflective teaching journals (RTJs), participate in intergroup dialogue, and engage in contemplative practices, such as meditation and visualization. Methods of data collection and analysis included content analysis of the intergroup dialogue sessions. Findings from the project reinforced Kolb's experiential learning cycle, in which new insights gained from reflection were integrated back into the classroom. This article presents these important insights and suggests replication of this project to promote reflective teaching in social work education and to help prepare new social work faculty for success in academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Social Work Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)