Using Visual Methodology: Social Work Student's Perceptions of Practice and the Impact on Practice Educators. Issue 1 (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey-McHale, Julie; Bailey-McHale, Rebecca; Caffrey, Bridget; MacLean, Siobhan; Ridgway, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Practice. Volume 31:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: social work placements -- visual methodology -- practice educators; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.005
• DOI: 10.1080/09503153.2018.1476477
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-3153

Abstract

Abstract : Practice learning within social work education plays a significant part in students' educational journey. Little is understood about the emotional climate of placements. This paper presents a small scale qualitative study of 13 social work students' perceptions of their relationship with a practice educator (PE) and 6 PEs perceptions of these emotional experiences. Visual methodology was employed over a two-phased research project: first social work students were asked to draw an image of what they thought practice education looked like; phase two used photo eliciation, and PEs were then asked to explore the meaning of these images. Results demonstrated social work students focused on their own professional discourse, the identity of PEs, power relationship and dynamics between themselves and PEs, the disjointed journey and practice education in its entirity. Whilst the PEs shared their personal views of practice education and reflected on this, both groups had a shared understanding of practice education including its values and frustrations.