Developing an engaging and interactive online field

Seminar

Sarah Keiser, LCSWField Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Practice

AndKate M. Chaffin, LAPSW

Director of Online and Nashville MSSW ProgramAssistant Professor of Practice

Social Work Distance Education Conference, Indianapolis, INApril 2015

Rational for Online MSW Financial Burdens Families Transportation International Opportunities Military Service

Challenges with Online Learning

Lack of Engagement Loss of contact with students

and faculty Isolation

College of Social Work UTK

Online program established in 2008 AS, FT, PT Accredited Online Orientation: Field Clinical and Macro Certificate Programs Technology: Blackboard,

Collaborate, and Zoom Asynchronous and Synchronous

What does the research say in regards to field?

Comparable to f2f Discussion Forums Live sessions Access to faculty and timely

feedback

Foundation Field at UTK

352 agency hours/16 hours per week

Across two semesters (October-May)

Should have opportunities for generalist practice skills

Required to gain experience administering client assessments

The Online Seminar Getting started:–Discussion Board meet and greet– Placement information – Scavenger hunt with Field Manual– Live session – Video of Differences between

Macro and Clinical –Guest Speaker

Discussion Boards A total of 6 required discussion boards

over two semesters.– Introduction– Assessment– Ethics– Case presentation– Reflecting on field practice– Documentary discussion

Optional support board available for the duration of each semester.

Live Sessions 8 Live online sessions across two

semesters.– Introduction– Client Engagement– Listening Skills– Suicide Training– Working on a multidisciplinary team– Self-care– Professionalism– Reflection on overall foundation field

experience

Community Engagement

Online education allows for guest speakers from across the state, nation and world!– Suicide training from the TN

suicide prevention network–Hospital SW from St. Jude– Social workers in clinical and

macro practice discussing their practice

Activities and Assignments

Written papers Videos Self-care assessment and plan Discussion boards Assessment writing activity Helpful responses questionnaire In session activities to enhance

skill development

Case Study

Spring semester case presentation– Students present an

assessment on a client ideally from field placement.

– Students are provided a format and an example case presentation.

– Students ask 3 questions about their case regarding next steps that are addressed by their peers.

In Conclusion Using mixed methods of teaching to

deliver a completely online field seminar– Synchronous and asynchronous sessions– Voice recorded presentations– Discussion boards– Videos– Written assignments– Guest speakers from the community– Frequent communication with students

providing clear and concise directions

Findings Content Understanding material Class time Effectiveness of Instructor Instructor preparedness Usefulness of training Class participation Class Interaction Course web page Understanding of subject matter Contribute to learning Presentation of concepts Worth attending

For Future Consideration Importance of engaging

presenter Training presenters on needs

of online students – Interaction – Relevance and Connection to

Practice –Worthwhile

Future Study

Comparison of F2F and Online Seminar

Pre and Post Test to measure– Skills – Knowledge

Questions/ Comments?