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