It’s up to you: The need for self-directed learning for social work students on placement during COVID-19

Abstract

Summary COVID-19 in 2020 took social work programmes by surprise and for many students an e-placement was offered as the only alternative learning opportunity to complete their placement that year. In this article, we report on a mixed method study with data collected via an online survey with quantitative and qualitative questions exploring students’ experiences in e-placements. Eighty-two students who had undertaken an e-placement responded to the survey that was sent to 1,500 social work students enrolled in twenty-one Australian universities. The results summarise demographic data about the students and a description of the e-placements used, as well as qualitative themes about the students’ experiences and recommendations about e-placements. Four themes were prominent in the qualitative data: ‘opportunities for flexible learning but can be challenging’, ‘learning new skills but missing out on others’, ‘drive your own learning’ and ‘the need for structure, support and connection’. Most students reported that they learnt a range of social work skills, but this required them to take initiative to ensure that learning occurred. The implication for social work education underscores the importance of future proofing social work field education through examining the learning and providing proactive support and clear structures for alternatives to traditional placements.

What happened to field practicum in social work education during COVID‐19? Evidence from Bangladesh

“…A few number of students could not continue their field practicum due to agency closure or the agencies decided not to continue hosting the intern students anymore because of health and safety concerns. Those who continue were unable to apply their skills in establishing rapport with the clients in the absence of face‐to‐face interaction, leaving them thoroughly dissatisfied (Zuchowski et al, 2021). Azman et al (2020) reported similar experiences in Malaysia as social work interns experienced fatigue and stress while doing their field practicum.…”

Extraversion in COVID-19 Coping

“…Self-directed learning can be encouraged in individuals within a context through following a self-developed process [25,26] and has been found most successful in relation to student-led activity structures during COVID-19 restrictions [129]. The importance of COVID-19-related self-directed learning has been supported by educators in various countries during the pandemic [130,131,132].…”

Extraversion in COVID-19 Coping and Actionable Insights from Considering Self-Directed Learning

“…Self-directed learning can be encouraged in individuals within a context by following a self-developed process [43,44] and has been found most successful in relation to student-led activity structures during COVID-19 restrictions [145]. The importance of COVID-19-related self-directed learning has been supported by educators in various countries during the pandemic [146][147][148].…”