ERIC Number: EJ1058177
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1940-5847
EISSN: N/A
Engaged in Research/Achieving Balance: A Case Example of Teaching Research to Masters of Social Work Students
Walsh, Christine A.; Casselman, Patsy J.; Hickey, Jamie; Lee, Noelle; Pliszka, Harold
Contemporary Issues in Education Research, v8 n2 p93-102 2015
This article considers the use of participatory action research and Photovoice as a tool for engaging graduate level social work students in research education. Photovoice is an investigative tool that assists people in critically reflecting on the everyday social and political realities of their lives, enriching their understanding of their communities and the issues pertinent to them, while at the same time, giving them a voice from which to educate others on these issues. In the context of a group assignment, 26 social work students, enrolled in an introductory graduate research course, were asked to reflect upon the question, "What does balance look like for you in the MSW program?" Thirty-two photographs with captions were submitted and analyzed by class members for relevant themes. Balance was described as existing along a continuum from balanced to unbalanced and was comprised of four major themes: connection, nurturance, keeping perspective, and disengagement. Although this teaching strategy was not formally assessed, preliminary impressions are that students benefited from participating in the Photovoice activity.
Descriptors: Graduate Students, Social Work, Professional Education, Masters Programs, Participatory Research, Action Research, Group Activities, Research Methodology, Courses, Photography, Visual Aids, Case Studies, Introductory Courses, Foreign Countries
Clute Institute. 6901 South Pierce Street Suite 239, Littleton, CO 80128. Tel: 303-904-4750; Fax: 303-978-0413; e-mail: Staff@CluteInstitute.com; Web site: http://www.cluteinstitute.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Calgary)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A