The Reflective Practice Of The Social Work Students In An Interdisciplinary Project Using M-Learning For Children With Disabilities

Twelve social work students were involved in an interdisciplinary project aimed at working with children with communication disabilities using a mobile app, named TESI. The goal of involving university students in this project was to pilot the mobile app TESI and to increase their openness to the use of m-learning tools and computer based assistive technology for children and adults with disabilities, but also to be an educational opportunity to develop new knowledge, skills and attitudes for the future social workers. The research was both an evaluative research and an action research, the results were analysed, on one hand by referring to the project objectives, respectively to the initial needs analysis of the target group of students, and on the other hand through the lens of education based on competence and the reflective practice in the social work profession, aiming both to reflect the formative value of this experience for the future social workers, and to challenge them to self-reflection for developing a conscious, reflective professional practice. The experience itself was perceived as very positive by the students, it helped them become more aware of their personal and professional knowledge, skills and values, as well as the aspects they need for their further personal development. The training of the future professionals can benefit by their involvement in interdisciplinary projects, keeping the focus on skills to be developed, without any fear of using creative teaching strategies or applying the older ones in new learning contexts.