Siobhan Maclean2015

Developing creative Developing creative approaches to approaches to

supporting students supporting students with theory and with theory and

practicepractice

REDUCING REDUCING THE FEAR THE FEAR FACTORFACTOR

Ask a student (or even a social Ask a student (or even a social worker!) “what theory are you using worker!) “what theory are you using

there?” there?”

Practice educators concerns Practice educators concerns about theory and practiceabout theory and practice

• I’ve forgotten it all

• I don’t use it – I’m so busy

• The student will know more than me

Facilitating a student’s learning Facilitating a student’s learning about practiceabout practice

o Be confident

o Be honest

o Belt and braces approach

o “Deep not surface”

Social work theory cardsI wanted to develop something which both practice educators and students would find useful as a supervision tool. Built on a number of learning theories and principles:

Visual and tactile experience

KOLB’S CYCLEKOLB’S CYCLEExperiential Experiential

LearningLearning

Exercises and uses

Designed for:•One to one exercises in supervision•Group exercises in group supervision / trainingWe are getting feedback that they are also being used for: •Individual reflection / refresher•Team meetings / peer reflection•Team “theory of the week” slots

Exercise suggestions• Confidence piles• Opening up theory discussions• Developing / constructing groups or themes• Theory or model?• Matching theories and models• Linking action to theory with theory circles• The three Cs: compliments, conflicts and

contradictions• Developing critiques• Developing new cards

• Reality TV: I’ve used that theory get me out of here! Britain's Next Top Theory. Come Theorise with me. The Great Social Work Bake off!

• Name that Tune• Guess the Theory: Yes / No options or

charades or pictionary• Snap

Exercise suggestions cont…

THEORY PICTIONARY

THEORY CHARADES

CRITICAL APPROACHES?

GUESS THE THEORY

PREPARATION

FOR “NAME THAT

TUNE”

Active experimentation: Giving it a GO

Creativity is

learning!

Reflective observation…..• Surprises• Satisfactions• Dissatisfactions• Learning

University of York (2000)

Siobhan MacleanKirwin Maclean Associateswww.kirwinmaclean.comenquiries@kirwinmaclean.com

@SiobhanMaclean