Problem-based learning for BSW students: A review of student development

Abstract

Social workers are expected to help with the social problems in the community. With the changing social environment, they have to handle problems which are very complicated. Training institutes are in constant search for a method that could help to equip the social work students adequately for practice. The University of Hong Kong Department of Social work has experimented the use of PBL to cultivate students’ self learning ability so that they could continue to grow and develop themselves in the field. With the use of small groups, it was also hoped that students could acquire the competence in group learning and teamwork. A Problem-Based Learning Questionnaire was devised to assess the growth of students in these areas. After launching the PBL programme for four years, we have also called for a focus group with the graduates to see if they felt the PBL training could help them in their real practice. While the scale reflected moderate growth, we had very positive feedback from the graduates. The training seems to serve the students well in preparing them for the harsh demands of the social work duties these days. This paper will report on both the quantitative and qualitative findings.