Neil Thompson sets out what you really need to know about supporting further learning during placement and practice. Stripping away the confusion and anxiety about what next?, this manual goes back to the core theories of how learning works in the first place, and how you can synchronise that with values and reflective practice to help your students and colleagues reach their professional goals. Summaries illustrate and reinforce the guidance, creating a set of easy-to-follow strategies for effective workplace development mentoring. Accessible explanations guide you through the theory and practice, covering everything from fostering a learning environment to troubleshooting difficulties and encouraging a culture of self-directed learning. Grow your mentoring skills and help your colleagues get to grips with not just what to learn, but how to learn it and make it stick.
Neil has 45 years of experience in the caring professions as a practitioner, manager, educator, writer and adviser. He has won awards for his work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from BASW Cymru. He is renowned for his ability to express complex ideas clearly without oversimplifying them and for making theory relevant to practice.
ContentsWelcome! About the author Foreword by Dr Paul Stepney Preface Acknowledgements Why a manual? Who is it for? How do I use it? 1. Introduction Developing the next generation of practitioners Developing a learning culture Human capital The importance of leadership Changes in the context of learning Broadening the focus A note on terminology 2. Understanding learning Introduction Learning from practice Patterns of adult learning The organizational context of learning Barriers to learning Spurs to learning Conclusion 3. Teaching and assessing values Introduction Slippery values Tackling discrimination and oppression Learning strategies Assessing values Conclusion 4. Reflective practice Introduction What is reflective practice? Theorizing practice Critically reflective practice Affirming diversity Developments in reflective practice Promoting reflective practice Barriers to reflective practice Conclusion 5. Coaching, mentoring and supervision Introduction Coaching Mentoring Coaching and mentoring within supervision Good practice in coaching and mentoring Supervision The role of the tutor Techniques and tools Checklist Conclusion 6. Planning Introduction Practice learning Planning for learning Conclusion 7. Workload management Introduction Allocating workload Managing a heavy workload Conclusion 8. Evaluating practice Introduction Assessing learner performance Methods of assessing performance Meeting the challenge of learner assessment Conclusion 9. Troubleshooting: dealing with difficulties Introduction Using support Dealing with problems Conclusion 10. Self-directed Learning Developing self-directed learning Achieving self-directed learning Conclusion Guide to further learning Introduction Recommended reading Journals and periodicals Training resources Online learning options Organizations and websites Learn with Neil Thompson References Appendices I The Positive and Negative Indicators Framework II The Avenue Professional Development Programme III Other Learning Resources by Neil Thompson IV Connect with Neil on Social Media
A hands-on practice manual ideal for anyone involved in promoting workplace learning, whether through supervising students on placement or helping colleagues gain in-service qualifications.
•Neils work has a reputation for being clearly written and is popular among students
•Simple, clear layout to get points across effectively
•Part of a three-book series of social work essentials from a well-known author
