Apples and Pears: Engaging Social Work Students in Social Dialogue. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reyneke, Roelof P.
• Other Names: Traube Dorian E. guest-editor.; Rice Eric guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Research on social work practice. Volume 27:Number 2(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: diversity -- dialogue -- civil discourse -- adventure-based activity -- experiential learning -- social constructionism; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049731516669823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7315

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate how an adventure-based activity could help facilitate dialogue and enable a safe process where students could engage in a difficult topic such as diversity without feeling threatened. Method: A qualitative study was used in which 89 social work students who took part in diversity training gave permission that their manuscripts be used for documentary analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze the data in order to determine if and how the adventure-based activity contributed to the facilitation of dialogue. Results: It was found that the activity contributed to changing the attitude and knowledge of social work students. It opened up new perspectives and allowed students to discuss diversity without fear. Conclusion: The use of adventure activities is an effective strategy to facilitate dialogue between students.