Moving from Resistance to Understanding in Field Education : Training Social Workers Online

Abstract

COVID-19 has transformed the delivery of social services, and the mechanisms social workers use to support individuals and communities facing harsh realities due to lack of resources, infrastructure, and rural isolation (Banks et al. 2020). This course embraces the necessity of using technology in ways which are relevant, responsive and mutually beneficial. With digital technologies expanding at a rapid pace in social work practice, this course harnesses the opportunity to evolve and enhance the delivery of online social work while learning about digital technologies in micro, mezzo and macro settings. Learners will be encouraged to move towards a practical understanding of the delivery of online social work services, how their practice can be strengthened by understanding innovative technologies, and as a result, further their digital fluency to engage in future practice. This course will engage learners to adapt community-based work to encourage connection, support, and resource sharing via online connections. The course will explore how community organizing and counseling services for individuals and groups, amongst other areas, occur virtually while exploring the ethical considerations for equitable social work practice. Students will be able to learn about digital technologies in online social work practice in individual and community settings, with sound knowledge of the limits, risks, and ethical implications of online practice (Reamer, 2013). Content in this course will include social media in social work practice, confidentiality in online settings, how service users respond to services mediated by digital technologies, and future considerations for digital social work practice.

This is an asynchronous online course (6 modules) where students can complete all readings, learning activities, and assessments online. Students are asked to interact with each other in small groups and in larger discussions with the whole class. Graded assessments include online discussions, workbook reflections, and three group assignments (developing a social media strategy, preparing a consent letter, and proposing recommendations for digital social work practice that can be incorporated by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)). Detailed information about each assessment is included in the course materials.