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Keywords

social work, online education, pandemic, Covid-19

Abstract

Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning was rapidly implemented across schools of social work. This study examines the student perspective of online learning during the pandemic including the challenges faced from the unanticipated switch to remote learning and any benefits gleaned from remote learning.

Method: We conducted an online survey of social work students using Qualtrics. Surveys were delivered electronically to schools of social work in Turkey using convenience sampling. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS.

Results: The majority of the participants in our study (76.5 %) ranked their online education experience as fair (3 out of 5), reporting the most benefits of remote learning related to the academic domain and the greatest challenges related to the domain. Bi-variate analyses showed those over age 22 reported more experience of stress and anxiety (p=0.20), and those younger than 22 years have greater difficulty with staying on a screen for extended periods (p=0.40). A lack of digital learning materials (p=0.28) and stable internet connection ( p=0.49), were also noted as key challenges.

Conclusion: The need for flexibility in teaching practices and course requirements and increased attention to mental health are important for ensuring an effective online learning experience. Future contingency plans should account for the need for interactive technology in online social work classrooms that facilitate the relationships, engagement and sense of belonging that are such a critical component of social education.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Author Biography

Dr. Dana Alonzo, PhD is a Professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service. Her research focuses on the mental health treatment engagement of individuals at risk of suicide, mental healthcare capacity building in under-resourced communities and training mental health professionals, allied health professionals, and lay individuals to identify and intervene with individuals at risk of suicide.

Dr. Zubaroglu-Ioannides, PhD, is a lecturer at Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. Her research interests include policy and program evaluation, particularly in the areas of refugee resettlement policies, refugee wellbeing, mental health, women’s welfare, youth empowerment, international and interdisciplinary social work education, and the social impacts of COVID.

Dr. Urhan is faculty at the Department of Social Work at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa. She has worked as a social worker and a manager in the fields of youth, older adult, women and individuals with disabilities for 14 years. Her research focuses on social policy and social work related to at-risk youth, families and individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Akilova is a Lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work. Her research, teaching and practice focus on the issues of global social work, child well-being and migration. Dr. Akilova is a member of Council on Global Issues at CSWE and is recipient of CSWE Partners in International Education award and NASW Emerald Award.

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