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Attitudes of Social Workers to Lifelong Learning
DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Olga
Lifelong education represents an important theme much discussed by the today's society, which was one of the reasons for choosing the topic of the diploma thesis. The present diploma thesis titled "Approaches of social workers to lifelong education" is divided into two parts: the theoretical part provides a summary of the existing knowledge contained in various literatures related both to lifelong education and education in general. The other, research part concentrates on the objective of the research, the methodology applied, characteristics of the research group, processing and evaluation of data and discussion. The theoretical part is engaged in defining the term of lifelong education, legislation in education, the development of lifelong education. Furthermore, it explores key documents associated with the analysed areas of lifelong education, structural funds and Community programmes, human potential, human resources and human capital. The theoretical part consists of a chapter dealing with the system of initial education, involving formal, non-formal and informal education and further education. The following section of the theoretical part focuses on social workers, who, in compliance with Act No. 108/2006 Coll., on Social Services, as amended, are obligated to pursue further education in order to improve, complement and refresh their qualification. The other section of the theoretical part is concerned with prerequisites for performing the profession of social workers, their further education, accreditation of educational facilities and programmes. The objective of this diploma thesis is outlined in the research part: Determination of approaches of social workers in the South Bohemian Region to the set-up of education in social work. In connection with the objective of the thesis, the following hypothesis was stipulated:The approach of social workers is more positive as to lifelong education directed at practice than theoretical education. To confirm the above hypothesis, a zero hypothesis was established, assuming that, within the final basic group of social workers in the South Bohemian Region, 75% of social workers has a more positive approach to practice-directed education and 25% of social workers has a more positive approach to theoretical education. The research part, in the framework of this diploma thesis, was effected in form of a quantitative research. The required data were derived by the method of interrogation, a questionnaire technique. The prepared questionnaire consisted of 27 questions in total. Closed, semi-closed and open questions were used. The questionnaire was sent by electronic mail to email addresses of facilities and their individual employees. The research group consisted of social workers employed in social services in the South Bohemian Region. The resulting data were assessed and processed by means of contingent tables and graphs in Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Values gained by the research were processed statistically. To verify the hypotheses regarding the structure of the basic research according to one or more indices, Pearson's Chi-Square Test of goodness of fit at the significance level alpha = 0.05 was applied. The research performed within the diploma thesis, supported by the survey based on questionnaires, anwers of the respondents as such and, last but not least, statistical calculations, confirmed the hypothesis that contemplated a more positive approach of social workers to lifelong education aimed at practice. Social workers in the South Bohemian Region taken into consideration, the results of the diploma thesis unquestionably demonstate that social workers prefer practice-directed education. Having assessed all questions in the questionnaire, the author determined the attitudes of social workers as to the set-up of lifelong education in social work and believes that the standpoint of the majority of respondents of lifelong learning is highly positive.
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