А Practice-oriented Approach to the Professional Training of Future Social Workers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Theoretical and applied aspects of training future social workers through a practice-oriented approach are actively explored in contemporary pedagogical research. The modernization of higher education and the growing complexity of social challenges require the implementation of innovative educational strategies aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with practical professional experience. The article substantiates the significance of the practice-oriented approach as an effective means of developing professional competence, critical thinking, adaptability, and readiness for professional activity among future social workers. It is emphasized that the practical orientation of professional training contributes to the formation of analytical, communicative, and reflective skills necessary for solving complex social problems and interacting effectively with different categories of clients. The study highlights the importance of integrating active and interactive teaching methods into the educational process, including case studies, simulation exercises, project-based learning, field practice, and research activities. Such methods create conditions for students’ active participation in the learning process and promote the acquisition of professionally significant competencies. The article characterizes the organizational and pedagogical conditions for implementing a practice-oriented approach in higher education institutions. It is determined that the systematic integration of practical tasks into educational programs enhances students’ professional mobility, motivation for lifelong learning, and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real social contexts. Particular attention is paid to the development of research competence, ethical culture, self-organization, and decision-making abilities as essential components of future social workers’ professional readiness. The study also emphasizes that practice-oriented training ensures the formation of procedural, cognitive, and personal components of professional competence. Through the combination of theoretical preparation and applied learning, future social workers acquire the ability to adapt to dynamic professional environments, respond effectively to social challenges, and provide qualified assistance to diverse population groups. The prospects for further research are associated with the systematization of innovative educational technologies, the improvement of practice-oriented teaching methods, and the development of a comprehensive competence-based paradigm for training future social work professionals in accordance with contemporary educational and social demands.
Source: Молодий вчений
Author: Ганна Рідкодубська
Institution: Khmelnytskyi National University
Language: English
Subfield: Public Administration
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7171613541