Learner Base Apprenticeship

Vygotsky’s cognitive development theory which is reputed as socio-cultural development theory is one of the constructivism theories that emphasizes considerable mutual act between learner and his/her social environment in cognition development. On the other hand, learner- centered method, which is fundamentally based on Vygotsky’s theory, is known as the most important teaching method relied on constructivism theories. This paper reviewed present social field work in Iran followed by studying constructivism theory and learner- centered teaching method. And then a new model is provided for social work students in field work environment with stress on pragmatic aspects of Vygotsky’s theory and learner- centered method. This model shows how to use problem learning based learning, self-regulating, cognitive apprenticeship and performance based assessment in social field work. Suggested model explains teaching- learning process of social workers based on Gage and Berliner (1988) general teaching model. The most important issues are studied in this model are as follows: initial assessment (determining learners input, selection and setting teaching goals) determining teaching methods and skills, selecting educational sources and materials, determining learning activities and assignments and determining evaluation methods and skills.