The Effectiveness of Practical Training in Social Work on Improving the Skills of University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not social work students' communication, problem-solving, critical-thinking, teamwork, and professional abilities were enhanced by practical training. Additionally, it aimed to compare these abilities across students at Jordan's Al-Zaytoonah University and those at Al-Balqa Applied University. One hundred twenty male and female students from two Jordanian universities—Al-Zaytoonah and Al-Balqa Applied University—made up the study's sample.  Mathematical means and standard deviations were utilized to analyze the findings of a questionnaire that assessed the various skills. The results demonstrated that students at Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan had better practical communication skills on average, with an average score of 4.567 (±0.398) on the "Communicating Clearly" ability test, compared to 4.123 (±0.462) at Al-Balqa Applied University. The average score for problem-solving strategies applied by students at Al-Zaytoonah University was 4.678 (±0.481), whereas the average score for students at Al-Balqa University was 4.234 (±0.532). In the paragraph "Working effectively within teams," students from Al-Zaytoonah University had an average score of 4.567 (±0.463) while students from Al-Balqa University had an average score of 4.123 (±0.484). As for professional skills, the results demonstrated that students at Al-Zaytoonah University outperformed their counterparts at Al-Balqa Applied University. The former had an average skill of "Applying academic knowledge" of 4.567 (±0.420), while the latter had 4.123 (±0.472).