Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- recognize and outline various theoretical work orientations and working methods in client work
- use and apply social pedagogical, sociocultural and psychosocial methods and tools to support individuals, families and groups in different life stages
- manage the process of methodical and goal-oriented client work
- evaluate and document client work

Teaching methods

The lessons and workshops will take place on Laurea Campus. Attendance requirement at lessons and workshops will be 75% / 100% in order to achieve the required objectives in the course. If your absences are more than 25% you are required to complete a substitute assignment assigned by the teacher.

The course is run parallel with the implementation R0379 Creativity and Activity-based Methods in Client Work (5cr) and is part of the core studies for the first year degree students.

The course includes individual, paired/ small group assignments, working life cooperation, home study and knowledge sharing workshops. Instructions for the assignments will be available at Canvas workspace.

The course includes three modules:
1) Theoretical Orientation to Client Work (3cr)
2) Methods used in Client Work (5cr)
3) The Client Process and Documentation (2cr)

Location and time

[This field is not used at Laurea.]

Learning materials and recommended literature

Healy, K. 2011. Social Work Methods and Skills : The Essential Foundations of Practice. (e-book)

Other materials and literature to be used are announced at the start of the course in Canvas.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

1) RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Any competence that corresponds to the learning outcomes of the course can be included in it through recognition and accreditation of prior learning. The starting point is competence-based thinking: what matters is your competence itself, not how and where you acquired it. The procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning are Recognition of prior studies and Demonstration of competence.

Where to start:
At first you would need to go carefully through the objectives, contents and assignments of the course to evaluate if there would be some entity / several entities where you already have know-how and competence? If yes, think how you can demonstrate your competence (e.g. earlier certificates, individual essay, short research or development project at your workplace, report, portfolio). Within one week of the start of the course contact the responsible teacher henna.jalasmaki@laurea.fi to arrange a Zoom meeting where we will discuss and identify your competence and agree on the method of demonstrating your competence.

OR

2) RECOGNITION OF WORK-BASED LEARNING
If you are working in ECEC at the same time that studying it would be possible to find an alternative way to complete the course or some part of it by recognizing what information and skills you can learn (or have already learned) at your workplace.

Where to start?
At first you would need to go carefully through the objectives, contents and assignments of the course to analyze if there would be some entity / several entities which you can learn at your work place?
If yes, think how you can learn those things in practice and how you can demonstrate your competence (e.g. essay, short research or development project at your workplace, report, portfolio).
Within one week of the start of the course contact the responsible teacher henna.jalasmaki@laurea.fi to arrange a Zoom meeting where we will discuss and identify your work situation, general and personal goals and agree on the method of learning and demonstrating your competence.

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

During the course students implement a project in co-operation with working life partners. Students obtain their project place themselves. The course also includes Field trips.

Important dates

The course starts on
10.1.2024 (8.30-11.45) at Laurea campus. The first lesson is compulsory to everyone. According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.” (Laurea degree regulations.)

Attendance is also required for the field trip, the Method Market Day, and the project seminar held during the course. Additional information about their scheduling and implementation will be provided at the beginning of the course.

In addition to the contact lessons you will have meetings with your study peers (you can set up the dates and times by yourself in connection with the assignment due dates).

Schedules and contents will be clarified at the beginning of the study module.

Students workload

The scope of the course is 10 credits and means for the student 270 hours spent studying. It is important that you write down the due dates of the assignments in your calendar and reserve enough time to study the themes and issues. The course has both individual and group assignments and the modules rhythm the progress of the studies.

The structure of the course:
1) Theoretical Orientation to Client Work (3cr)
2) Methods used in Client Work (5cr)
3) The Client Process and Documentation (2cr)

Content and scheduling

The course is completed by participating in the contact meetings according to the schedule of the course and completing assignments related to the course. Attendance requirement at lessons and workshops will be 75% / 100% in order to achieve the required objectives in the course. Participation in the lectures is highly recommenced since the assignments are closely related to the key topics covered in lectures, and additional guidance for completing the assignments can be obtained during the lectures.

The study course consists of three entities, which involve contact meetings, individual and pair/group assignments, field trips and project work. The course uses the Canvas workspace for communication and assignment feedback. The study requires activity and commitment to intensive learning.

Further information for students

After this course the student is able to:
- recognize and outline various theoretical work orientations and working methods in client work
- use and apply social pedagogical, sociocultural and psychosocial methods and tools to support individuals, families and groups in different life stages
- manage the process of methodical and goal-oriented client work
- evaluate and document client work

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelors level education.
According to the degree regulations (section 18) students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. The registration for the study unit will be rejected, if the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place.

The students need to attend 75% of classes. In case the students absences exceed 25% student is required to complete a substitute assignment assigned by the teacher.

If the required tasks and requirements are not met, the student needs to enroll again for the course.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

"The evaluation of competence is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the evaluation criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies (Laurea degree regulations)."

In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level I.

You demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes set for the study unit/project by completing the tasks (e.g. project work, exercises, exams or demonstrations) according to the implementation plan. Instructions are given at the beginning of the study unit/project.

Various self-, peer and group evaluations or their combinations are used in evaluation.

In the difficulty levels of the evaluation framework, competence is described for levels H/1, 3 and 5. The resulting competence is assessed comprehensively. Good competence (3) also requires the achievement of satisfactory competence, and correspondingly, commendable competence (5) also requires the fulfillment of the evaluation criteria for satisfactory and good competence. If the competence does not fully reach a good level, but meets the criteria for a satisfactory level, a grade of 2 is assigned. Correspondingly, the student receives a grade of 4 if the competence is at a good level, but not yet commendable in all respects.

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarize yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. If Ouriginal is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.

Evaluation criteria, fail (0)

All the tasks of the course must be successfully completed in order to receive a performance mark. Students who has failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit.

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student is able to:

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting:
- use essential professional concepts when explaining various work practices and situations
- search for information in different sources
- report

Professional practice and workplace development
- work under guidance using the skills and methods learned
- interact with customers and/or co-operation partners
- receive guidance

Assessed as applicable: teamwork skills, leadership and responsibility
- work as a member of a team
- plan the progress of their work and use of time under guidance
- work safely and in accordance with the professional code of conduct
- follow the provided instructions and rules

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

The student is able to:

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting:
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner when explaining various work practices and situations
- gather information and use their knowledge basis
- report in the agreed manner

Professional practice and workplace development
- work using the skills and methods learned
- engage in professional interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and identify their needs
- take part in guidance and utilise it

Assessed as applicable: teamwork skills, leadership and responsibility
- engage in goal-oriented work in a team
- plan and manage the progress of their work and use of time
detect safety-related risks
- justify their actions in accordance with the professional code of conduct

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to:

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting:
- use professional concepts extensively
- compare and choose relevant information
- report and communicate in a professional manner

Professional practice and workplace development
- work independently, using the skills and methods learned
- take responsibility for interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and for responding to their needs
- anticipate their need for guidance

Assessed as applicable: teamwork skills, leadership and responsibility
- promote the team’s work and team spirit
- manage their time appropriately, completing the agreed tasks at the required quality level
- work responsibly, applying the skills and methods learned
- plan and evaluate their work, taking safety and/or ethical aspects into consideration