ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how anxiety can impact learning and suggests some strategies for dealing with it. Dealing with learning anxiety should be part of every social work class. This anxiety is a natural reaction to the unfamiliar. It is protective mechanism that keeps safe. Fear and anxiety can manifest itself in the classroom in multiple ways. Non-verbal behaviours can indicate state of fear or anxiety. While social work educators and students may be sensitive to these clues, it helps to review them. Students who do not make eye contact, speak softly, or even overly loudly, may be experiencing fear or anxiety. Social work educators differ on how much attention should be paid to research anxiety. Some studies indicate that the fear and anxiety of research is overblown and persists as a myth that impacts learning. Recent advances in brain research reveal exciting developments in how we understand the role of emotions in learning.
