Facing Reality: Context-Oriented Reflection in Social Work Education

In this paper, we describe, analyse and conceptualise our attempt to teach standard social work content in Israel while relating to the immediate socio-cultural-political context of life in the shadow of a violent political conflict. Following an analysis of a group meeting that was held immediately after a significant wave of violence in our region, we discuss the potential of using current events in social work education for developing reflectivity among students. Such context-focused reflection explores the interplay between the practitioner ('self'), the profession and the context in which they operate. Developing and integrating pedagogical practices that let in events from the surrounding reality and invite context-focused reflectivity may challenge practitioners' 'technocratic' attitudes and encourage social work to become more dedicated to promoting social change.