Final Assignment

Throughout the semester, you have been challenged to reflect on your development as a social worker, and to use course feedback, group exercises, readings, and case discussions to develop self-awareness. Further, you have been encouraged to identify personally meaningful learning goals and to work toward achieving those goals. And you have been instructed to maintain a journal (either paper or electronic) to record your thinking about your experiences. You will submit this journal at the end of the semester along with a brief Learning Reflection Paper. This paper should describe your personal learning goals from the beginning of the semester, your efforts to reach those goals, and your reflections on your growth and areas for continued development.

In preparation for writing the Learning Reflection Paper, you should review:

· The required, non-case readings in the course pack (e.g., about case method learning, problem-solving, assertiveness, ethics, self-care).

· Supplemental online readings (e.g., learning styles, mindset).

· Weekly entries in your learning journal about particular case discussions, readings, or exercises.

· Feedback on case analyses, from both classmates and the instructor (both comments and the grading rubric).

Late in the semester, it will also be helpful to reflect on our weekly case discussions and your participation. For example, consider these questions:

· What have you learned about formulating problems, making decisions, articulating positions, problem-solving, collaborating, and giving feedback?

· How have you improved your own abilities to formulate problems, decide, take and defend positions, problem-solve, collaborate, and give feedback?

· In these and other areas, what have you learned about yourself that you did not know previously (both strengths and weaknesses)?

· What can you do to reinforce and continue this learning beyond the course and graduation?

· How will this make you a better social worker?

The paper should describe your personal learning goals from the beginning of the semester, your efforts to reach those goals, and your reflections on your own growth, improvement, and areas for continued development. You should document significant growth this semester and identify areas and plans for growth and improvement. In other words, SOWK 718 may provide important feedback for you as a learner and I’m interested in how you will use it going forward.

The Learning Reflection Paper should be in APA-style (with references, if necessary), the suggested length is 5-7 pages. The due date is listed in the syllabus and should be submitted via Blackboard. Papers will be evaluated with the following criteria:

· Ability to reflect on and integrate various learning experiences for social work practice

· Thoroughness in addressing the individual assignments

· Specificity and depth of discussion and analysis

· Professional writing quality