1.4 Theory to Practice
Theory to practice is the opportunity to apply concepts learned through formal coursework to real-life practice settings. Applying theory to practice is often seen as one of the most difficult skills to master, and the opportunity to begin this work is one of the key elements of fieldwork. Fieldwork gives you the chance to tie your education to your work with individuals. It involves taking the information you have learned in class and from your textbooks and applying it in real life. For example, you may have a client who is very worried about her child not speaking yet. You will use your knowledge about human development to guide your assistance. Based on the child’s development, this may mean referring the child for evaluation or simply discussing with the client that not speaking yet is developmentally appropriate for the child’s age.
Learning to Fly: The Value of Experiential Learning
From the student perspective, starting your internship often begins with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it is exciting—after all those classes, you finally get to do something! On the other, it can be a little scary—most of us worry about looking stupid or “messing up” at work, especially in the beginning of a placement. It may help to remember this type of reaction is normal. Even so, there is a reason to approach the first day with some confidence. Your instructors have been there before you, and the classes you took have at least provided a good cognitive map of what this field is all about.
Viewed this way, the internship represents an opportunity to experience the work environment in action, to get acquainted with members of the staff, and to begin to learn about the job. Your internship is the perfect opportunity to practice skills and values you have been striving to embody.
Using Theory to Inform Practice
One of the hallmarks of being a professional is having the knowledge of how to be effective at helping others. Without theory to underpin it, our work would be like throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. That approach is not only ineffective—it is unfair to our clients to experiment with solutions on them.
The information and theory you gain through your education—including developmental theory, theories of social problems, and an understanding of families and other systems—can help you understand the issues your clients face and visualize solutions. As mentioned earlier, this can feel very intimidating, but the more experience you get, the easier this skill becomes.
A Theory-to-Practice Case Study: Jing’s Challenge
Jing was interning at an agency that served rural seniors. One of her clients had been referred to the agency by his physician. The client, Robert, had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was frequently falling at home. Jing met with Robert, who insisted he was fine and refused any changes to either his activities or his environment. Jing remembered a theory—selective optimization with compensation—that she had learned in her class on aging, which stated that older adults will often sacrifice some activities or independence in order to continue to participate in activities that have more value for them. Jing knew that Robert enjoyed playing golf with friends, so she suggested that making changes to his home would decrease his falling and increase his ability to continue to play golf. By pairing the changes with an activity that Robert valued, Jing was able to get Robert to allow grab bars to be installed in his bathrooms and staircases. Using theory, Jing was able to create a solution that increased Robert’s safety while supporting his quality of life.
Theory to Practice Licenses and Attributions
“Theory to Practice” is adapted from “Chapter 3: Getting Started at the Site” in “Succeeding at Your Internship: A Handbook Written for and with Students” by Christopher J. Mruk, and John C. Moor, Bowling Green State University Libraries. This work is licensed under CC BY NC SA 4.0. Edited for consistency, style, and format by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW.
“A Theory-to-Practice Case Study: Jing’s Challenge” by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
the opportunity to apply concepts learned through formal coursework to real-life practice settings.
(or internship/practicum) experiential learning contained within human services programs. For the purposes of this text, fieldwork, internship, and practicum will be used interchangeably.
any method of measuring performance at your position. This may include informal methods, such as check-ins or discussions, or more formal evaluations such a report or grade.
A credit class in which students apply theory to practice by using what you have learned in coursework in a real-world setting with a supervisor/mentor who is invested in your growth and development (often also referred to as fieldwork or practicum).
the belief that you can be successful when presented with a challenge.
