Social Work Education through Open and Distance Learning: An Indian Perspective

PurposeThe paper reports the feedback collected from students of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Programme of the School of Social Work (SOSW), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), through open and distance learning (ODL), in India. The paper discusses findings related to learner profile, student support services, assignments, academic counselling, fieldwork, audio/video/teleconferencing facilities, Internet access and challenges faced by the learners. The findings will be useful for researchers and practitioners, will help in improving the overall quality of the programme, in designing the delivery mechanism as per the needs of MSW learners and in preparing them to be trained professionals to work in social development sector in India.Design/methodology/approachFor data collection, a questionnaire was prepared and sent to all the students of the MSW programme along with assignment, across India. Responses from 290 students were voluntarily received.FindingsThe research findings are that MSW (ODL) students are older, mostly married with the average male learners age being 35 years and that of female learners being 30 years, there are more female learners than male learners, majority of the learners are Hindu from general category, tend to be employed, mostly full-time and some part-time, with work experience. They are from urban, semi-urban, rural and tribal areas with Internet access. Most of the students preferred to read printed self-learning materials than digitally available on eGyanKosh or IGNOUmobile app especially in rural areas though with increasing access to Internet, students are gradually opting for online materials while filling up the admission form. Majority of students found the quality and standard of study materials to be very good. Though maximum respondents gave positive feedback about the student support services and their learning experiences, some of the learners faced challenges like unco-operative staff members, administrative delays, non-allotment of academic counsellor/fieldwork supervisor, irregularity, late reception of study materials, lack of staff members at study centre, far distance of regional centre/study centre from residence, etc.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings will help in designing and delivering the MSW programme in a more effective way. Based on the feedback received, the next revision of the programme will take into consideration the concerns of the learner. The limitation of the study is that not all learners responded to all the questions. Not all potential MSW learners filled the questionnaire and submitted it at the school. And those who responded had left some questions unanswered. Those who did not submit response may differ in their responses from what is received.Originality/valueIt is an original work and will be valuable in understanding the distance learner of MSW programme in India, programme delivery and challenges.

Section: Open and Distance Learning Of Msw Learnersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…IGNOU has been effective in qualitatively training the students to work as social work practitioners at the grassroots levels (Saumya, 2016, 2018). The IGNOU model is one of the successful models of offering social work education through distance mode (Dash and Botcha, 2018; Thomas, 2015; Saumya, 2018).…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Open and distance learning in social work programme: a study of MSW learners of India

Saumya

Singh

2020

“…A lack of professional supervision highlighting the importance of social work perspective in problem solving, task planning and implementation is also highlighted (Chen et al, 2018). Lack of effective field work practice and supervision leads to lack of competency in doing work in the field (Dash and Botcha, 2018). Other issues related to field work supervision are allocation of supervisors, less qualified supervisors (Bukaliya, 2012), the quality and frequency of feedback (Heeralal, 2015) and students not consulting regularly (Mafa and Mapolisa, 2012).…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Field work supervision through open and distance learning: an Indian perspective

Guin

2019

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the method of field work supervision in BSW and MSW programmes offered through open and distance learning (ODL) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The key argument of the paper will focus on the fact that despite various challenges, field work supervision through ODL provides lot of scope and flexibility to students, generating a cadre of trained social work professionals. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a case study approach in presenting the various methods employed for field work supervision by the University. This section will highlight the achievements in terms of developing indigenous theory course and the best practices adopted by IGNOU to train social work professionals through adequate and timely supervision in the ODL mode. Findings Field work supervision in the ODL mode poses many challenges, especially when compared to that in the conventional universities. Some of these include irregular meeting of supervisor and student, inability of students to meet supervisor due to several reasons like remote location, poor economic background, lack of leave for working professionals, etc. Research limitations/implications There is a need for developing a mechanism to regularly orient field work supervisors in supervising students in the ODL mode. It is recommended that regular field work practicum workshops be conducted for supervisors and students. Viva for field work could be made mandatory at different regional centres. Field work supervision could be enhanced through the use of technology, namely, Skype, e-mail, WhatsApp, etc. Originality/value The paper describes the various nuances of field work supervision through ODL system. It is an original work and is of great value in understanding the challenges and difficulties encountered by learners and academic counsellors throughout the process of supervision. The paper highlights important recommendations by the stakeholders themselves in mitigating the challenges faced during field work supervision through ODL.

“…Due to the absence of a systematic study to evaluate the effectiveness of social work education through ODL mode, it is always considered inferior to the programmes offered through regular/conventional mode. However, the easy access, affordability and convenience for the marginalised and disadvantaged sections of population, the distance education system has received immense popularity and growth in India (Dash and Botcha, 2018). Siegel et al (1998) cited in Vernon et al (2009) examined the status of distance learning in social work and foreshadowed the emergence of distance education as a viable medium for delivering accredited education.…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Perception towards quality and effectiveness of social work education through open and distance learning

Dash

2019

Self Cite

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perception of the students towards the quality and effectiveness of social work education offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through open and distance learning (ODL). Design/methodology/approach The sample size consisted of 150 students, 15 academic counsellors engaged in either teaching or development sectors, or faculty members of School of Social Work of IGNOU. The methods of data collection included interviews and content analysis. Interview schedule for students, interview guide for academic counsellors and interview guide for faculty members were used. Findings The study centres were allotted as per student’s choice. Students were satisfied with the counsellors because of their support, availability, contact, accessibility and assisting the students to clearing their doubts. The study found that the student’s attendance in counselling sessions was found to be negligible, even a large number of respondents were not aware of the ODL system. The study also shows that students face lots of problem with regard to their field work supervision and other components of field work as were also neglected. Practical implications The findings of the study are extremely relevant for formulating necessary guidelines for improving the social work education through ODL mode. The study recommends revision of course materials translated in Hindi language, holding of individual and group conferences regularly as well as proper evaluation of field work reports. Originality/value This is first such study conducted in India to examine the effectiveness of social work education through ODL.