Study Skills for Social Workers

'The book is completely student focused. I envisage students having the text on their desks when they attempt their written work, and this is very much how a study guide should be used' - Professor Keith Popple, London South Bank University

Introduction What Does This Book Aim to Do? Will this Book Help me Pass the Course? Key Features of this BookThinking about Learning Where are You Now as a Learner? Learning as a Child or as an Adult? How does Learning Happen? Learning Styles Skim the Surface or Dive in at the Deep End? Common Learning Obstacles Your Learning Goals Be SMART! Tackling Boredom and Frustration - Head on! Further ReadingSelf-Management and Organization Timekeeping Working Independently Organising Independent Study Space Avoidance Strategies and Procrastination Stress and Stress Management Useful Resources Further ReadingLearning in the Workplace Work-based Social Work Courses Working with Colleagues Skills for Managing Change Communication, Confidence and Understanding Support and Guidance Useful Resources Further Reading Learning Online What is E-learning? What Sort of Technologies Might You Be Using? How Will E-Learning Be Used? Effective Use of Online Learning Environments Doing Research Online Independent Learning Online Online Collaboration and Group Work E-assessment Useful Resources Further ReadingResearching, Reading and Critiquing What is Research? How is Research Relevant to Your Course? Projects and Dissertations Quantitative and Qualitative Research Searching the Literature The Six-step Search Strategy The Snowball Technique Effective Reading and Note-taking Writing about Research Foregrounding your ¿Writer Voice¿ Planning a Research Project Useful ResourcesWriting Effectively Why is Writing so Important? Improving your Writing Skills Support for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties Your Previous Experience of Writing Getting used to ¿Academic Writing¿ Writing at Higher Education Level Types of Academic Writing Writing Essays Other Types of Writing Further ReadingReferencing Effectively Referencing is a Learnable Skill The Key to Successful Referencing Why Are You Asked to Use Referencing? Referencing in Practice Reference Lists Referencing Exercises Other Referencing Tips Further ReadingCommunication and Awareness Skills Service-users, Carers and Communication Skills Developing Your Confidence in Communicating Communication and Social Work Ensuring Accuracy - Information Fit for Purpose Listening Active Listening Verbal Communication Non-verbal Communication - Observing Communication Through Behaviour Eyes - the Mirrors of the Soul? Presentations Awareness Further ReadingUsing Feedback Effectively Personal Development Plan Why Feed Back? Feedback on Your Assignments Feedback from Service-Users and Carers Feedback from Colleagues Feedback from Peers Dealing with Criticism Further ReadingReflection in Social Work They ¿Why¿ and ¿What¿ of Reflection A Tool for Reflection The GSCC Codes of Practice (2002) Reflection and Accountability Suggested Answers Useful Resources Further ReadingDeveloping Social Work Portfolios Portfolios E-portfolios Core Skills Portfolios The Continuous Professional Development(CPD)Portfolio Practice Portfolios Further ReadingComputing Principles and Concepts Social Work and Computing Skills The Basic Concepts of IT Managing Files Effectively Using Databases to Access Information Database Fundamentals Computing and Assistive Technologies Computing in Social Work Practice Settings Data Protection Issues Useful ResourcesComputing Skills Workshop Help Options and Online Resources Features in Microsoft Office 2007 Word Processing Presentation Software Part 1: Authoring Your PowerPoint Presentation Part 2: Delivering Your Presentation Using Spreadsheets Using Basic Formulae in Excel Creating Charts and Graphs in Excel Useful Resources Further ReadingIndex