scholarly journals A Reflective View of the Introduction of Technologies in Social Work Fieldwork Modules within the South African Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Marichen van der Westhuizen ◽  
◽  
Sibulelo Gawulayo ◽  
Nomvuyo Lukelelo ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Role Players ◽  
African Context ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to prepare students for emergency online learning and teaching. The blended-learning approach that includes online learning and teaching options in social work theoretical modules has been described as valuable in providing students with a variety of modes of learning and teaching. However, its use in fieldwork modules requires further research. This article aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate student social workers and their supervisors regarding the inclusion of technologies in the first-year fieldwork module, and how this affected their online experiences during the pandemic. The activity theory served as a theoretical framework. A qualitative approach was followed with an explorative-descriptive research design. Participants were selected through purposive non-probability sampling. Data was collected through written reflection sheets that were analysed through thematic content analysis. Ethics included voluntary participation, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality and anonymity. The findings indicate that all the components of the activity theory were present, while challenges experienced prior and during the pandemic were identified as a lack of previous exposure to the use of technology and of access to technological resources, socioeconomic challenges, the need to become skilled in becoming independent scholars, a need for direct interaction among students and between students and supervisors/lectures, and the importance of a variety of role-players to support learning. The findings provided a foundation to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding what is needed to effectively use the activity theory’s components in fieldwork modules and to prepare students for technology-based learning and teaching in higher education settings.

scholarly journals Drawing as a Way of Knowing: Visual Practices as the Route to Becoming Academic

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Abegglen ◽  
Tom Burns ◽  
Sandra Sinfield
Keyword(s):  
Academic Writing ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
First Year ◽  
Widening Participation ◽  
Approach To Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Learning Module ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

This case study illustrates what happened when we took a playful approach in a first year undergraduate academic skills module and a graduate Facilitating Student Learning module asking our students to “draw to learn.” We found that they not only enjoyed the challenges we set them, but also that they “blossomed” and approached their academic writing with more confidence and joy. Hence we argue for a more ludic approach to learning and teaching in Higher Education to enable Widening Participation students and their tutors to become the academic writers they want to be. In particular “blind drawing” seems to be a powerful tool for diminishing the fear of failure and for fostering deep understanding as well as self-confidence.

scholarly journals Learning English Online from Home: The Challenges Faced by USIM BELCOM Students during MCO

Sains Insani ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiful Izwan Zainal ◽  
Noor Saazai Mat Saad ◽  
Norhana Abdullah ◽  
Normazla Ahmad Mahir ◽  
Suzanah Selamat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Control Order

Efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus have been carried out on a large scale around the world, and among the measures that have been taken is to change the mode of learning among students in universities to online learning. Although various online learning platforms have been made available for student use, the level of mastery of students as well as the challenges they face to maximize the use of technology while studying from home is still understudied. This study will add to the previous research by focusing on the aspects of English language online learning processes experienced by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) students during the Movement Control Order period. This study collected qualitative data through open-ended questions which were distributed online, involving 29 first-year students from the Bachelor of English with Commerce (BELCOM). The data revealed two (2) categories of challenges – external and internal. Internet connection and environment are for external while understanding and communication are for internal. In relation to each of the challenges, the respondents also shared their coping mechanisms which are two-pronged. Some respondents just accepted those hurdles while many of them took charge and took action in solving the problems. These coping mechanisms could be used as guides for other learners facing difficulties in learning online at home.   Usaha untuk membendung penyebaran virus Covid-19 telah dilakukan secara besar-besaran di seluruh dunia, dan antara langkah-langkah yang telah diambil adalah dengan mengubah cara pembelajaran di kalangan pelajar di universiti kepada pembelajaran secara atas talian. Walaupun pelbagai platform pembelajaran atas talian telah disediakan untuk kemudahan para pelajar, namun tahap penguasaan pelajar serta cabaran yang dihadapi untuk memaksimumkan penggunaan teknologi semasa belajar dari rumah masih kurang dikaji. Kajian ini akan menambah data penyelidikan sebelumnya dengan memfokuskan aspek proses pembelajaran atas talian Bahasa Inggeris yang dialami oleh para pelajar Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) semasa tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan. Kajian ini menggunakan data kualitatif berdasarkan soalan terbuka yang dibuat secara atas talian kepada 29 pelajar tahun satu Sarjana Muda Bahasa Inggeris dengan Perdagangan (BELCOM). Data menunjukkan bahawa terdapat dua (2) kategori cabaran iaitu luaran dan dalaman. Bagi luaran, cabaran-cabaran yang diutarakan adalah sambungan Internet dan persekitaran. Manakala bagi dalaman, cabaran-cabaran yang terbabit adalah kefahaman dan juga komunikasi. Selari dengan setiap cabaran yang dinyatakan, para responden juga menyatakan cara mereka mendepani cabaran tersebut. Didapati mereka sama ada mengharungi cabaran tersebut tanpa berbuat apa-apa ataupun mengambil tindakan untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. Mekanisma yang diambil oleh pelajar-pelajar dalam mendepani cabaran ini dapat dijadikan panduan bagi pelajar lain yang mengikuti pembelajaran atas talian dari rumah.

scholarly journals Leading the quality management of online learning environments in Australian higher education

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Holt ◽  
Stuart Palmer ◽  
Judy Munro ◽  
Ian Solomonides ◽  
Maree Gosper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
First Year ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Evaluation Approaches

<p>The paper presents the findings of the first year of a nationally funded Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) project on the quality management of online learning environments by and through distributed leadership. The project is being undertaken by five Australian universities with major commitments to online and distance education. Each university, however, has a distinctive location, history and profile in the sector. The first year of the project has seen the development of a quality management framework with six interrelated elements. The framework is being applied, refined and validated in the second year of the project. Allied with the development of the framework, was the conduct of focus groups at each of the five partner institutions in the middle of the first year. These focus groups composed a range of staff involved collectively in the leadership of the organisation's online learning environment. Prominence was given to the nature and value of strategic planning, due diligence conducted in selecting and mainstreaming technologies, evaluation approaches informing decision making, and the various relationships between different leadership levels and domains. A number of key issues which emerged relating to the elements identified in the framework are examined.</p><p> </p>

"Do not Worry Your Head": The Impossibility of Indigenising Social Work Education and Practice in Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwaku Osei-Hwedie ◽  
Doris Akyere Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
North American ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
The People ◽  
African Context ◽  
Drawing Board ◽  
Work Education

As the discussions and debates rage on about the content and direction of social work in Africa, the challenges associated with weaning the profession off its Western and North American roots become apparent. The desire to indigenise or make the profession culturally relevant is well articulated in the literature. Some efforts have been undertaken toward achieving this desire. However, it is evident that despite the numerous discussions and publications, it appears that efforts at indigenising, localising, or making social work culturally relevant have not made much progress. While what must be achieved is somewhat clear; how to achieve it and by what process remain a conundrum. The article, therefore, revisits the issue of making social work culturally relevant in Africa and its associated challenges. Despite the indictment of current social work education and practice in Africa, it appears that many academics and professionals have accepted that what is Western is global, fashionable, and functional, if not perfect. Given this, perhaps, “we should not worry our heads” about changing it. Instead, social work educators and practitioners in Africa should go back to the drawing board to determine how current social work education and practice can be blended with a traditional African knowledge base, approaches and models to reflect and align with the critical principles and ideals within the African context. This is with the hope of making the profession more relevant to the needs of the people of Africa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document