Aims and Objectives of Field Practicum

The objective of field work program in social work education is to provide the student with actual experience in applying social work methods and enable him/her to become familiar with the real work of practice that is, to relate academic theory to concrete reality as found in the agency setting

v        R.R. Singh (1985; 44-45) has mentioned the following objectives:

1.         To offer purposeful learning experience to students through interaction with life situation under supervisory guidance for professional growth in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

2.         To foster attitudes in the student towards professional self development, increasing self awareness, appreciation of both capacities and limitations.

3.         To develop in the student the required skills in helping the needy through organizational work, use of social work methods, that is, listening, participating, communication and so on. And

4.         To enable the student to develop and deepen capacity to relate theory to Practice, and also to relate the experience to theory:

v        In “The View Committee on Social work Education in India” has mentioned

            1.     Development of skills in problem solving at the mean and macro levels.

            2.     Integration of classroom learning with field practices.

            3.     Development of skills required for professional practice at the particular Level of learning.

            4.     Development of professional attitudes, values and commitments.

            5.     Development of self awareness and professional ideas.

v        The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

            They set some objectives of social field work on the basis of some standard. Here are those objectives to clear the picture of the social field. Here are [hose objectives to view the objectives of field work on the global perspectives as well as Bangladesh.

            *      It helps to make an effective communication with Field Instructor, agency staff, outside agencies.

            *      It helps to increase the ability to manage time effectively and efficiently.

            *      It helps to understand the supervisory relationship and role of the student in the practicum setting.

            *      Helps to examine practice issues that may affect or impede services created by the interaction of personal and professional values and ethics as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics as well as the professional standards present in the agency setting.

            *      It helps to understand and utilize professional social work relationship standards in working with consumers, colleagues, and representatives of other organizations and groups.

            *      It helps to understand the existence and importance of human diversity within the field of social work.

            *      It helps to develop the ability to provide culturally sensitive and competent services to a diverse group of consumers.

            *      It helps to understands factors that contribute to a population being at-risk.

            *      Learn to identify and implement strategies to address the needs of clients and families at-risk.

            *      Understands the dynamic relationship between populations at-risk and issues of social and economic justice.

            *      To understand the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and the social environment.

            *      Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of developing positive relationships with clients.

            *      Demonstrates the ability to assess client’s strengths and areas of need utilizing knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.

            *      In general the objective of the field work can be described in this way.

            (Source: Wikipedia .The Free Encyclopedia)

v        Others:

            1.     To help students learn how to think critically, analytically and evaluative, all which are basic to the teaching of the problem- solving process.

            2.     To help students develop feelings and attitudes appropriate to the helping process,

            3.     To help students develop a high degree of social awareness and a deeper understanding of the democratic process

            4.     To help students develop their professional selves, including some ability to evaluate their own capacities to help people.

            5.     To help students master a substantial body of conceptual knowledge regarding individual, group and societal behavior.