Challenges and opportunities for applying groupwork principles to enhance online learning in social work

Shirley R Simon; Marcia B Cohen; Donna McLaughlin; Barbara Muskat; Mary White

doi:10.1921/gpwk.v25i2.890

Authors

Shirley R Simon Loyola University
Marcia B Cohen University of New England, Portland
Donna McLaughlin Boston University
Barbara Muskat Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
Mary White University of New England, Portland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v25i2.890

Abstract

The recent increase in the number of social work courses being offered in online formats raises challenges and opportunities for social work educators. Simultaneously, the literature suggests that group work principles can serve as an important foundation for effective online education. This article examines the obstacles and opportunities for using group work principles to advance effective learning in online education. Three examples of fully online social work classes - a BSW group work course, an MSW group course and an MSW field work seminar - are discussed in order to identify and assess some of these obstacles and opportunities. Recommendations for best practices in online education are identified. The potential role of group work educators as leaders in facilitating effective online learning is also explored.

Author Biographies

Shirley R Simon, Loyola University

Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Marcia B Cohen, University of New England, Portland

Professor, School of Social Work

Donna McLaughlin, Boston University

Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Barbara Muskat, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

Director of Social Work

Mary White, University of New England, Portland

Clinical Assistant Professor

References

Allen, I. E. and Seaman, J. (2013) Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking Online Education in the United States, Babson Survey Research Group, and Quahog Research Group. [Accessed 20 October 2013 at http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf]

Coe Regan, J.R. & Youn, E. (2008) Past, present and future trends in teaching clinical skills through web-based learning environments. Journal of Social Work Education, 44, 2, 95-115

Conklin, J.J. & Osterndorf, W. (1997) Distance education and social group work: The promise of the year 2000. in A. Alissi, & C.G. Corto Mergins (Eds.) Voices from the field. Group work responds. New York: Haworth Press

Council on Social Work Education (2008) Educational policy and accreditation standards. [Accessed 11 July 2011 at http://www.cswe.org/File.aspx?id=41861]

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Guidelines for using distance education in social work programs. [Accessed 6 October 2006 at www.cswe.org]

Daley, B. J. (2001) Learning and professional practice: A study of four professions. Adult Education Quarterly, 52, 1, 39-54

Daydov, T., Emery, D., Lahanas, S. & Potemski, B. (2010) E-Learning Glossary. at http://www.astd.org/LC/glossary.htm]

Faul, A., Frey, A. & Barber, R. (2004) The effects of web-assisted instruction in a social work research methods course. Social Work Education, 23, 1, 105-118

Fisher, K., Phelps, R. & Ellis, A. (2000) Group processes online: Teaching collaboration through collaborative processes. Educational Technology & Society 3, 3, 484-495

Frey, A., Yankelov, P. & Faul, A. (2003) Student perceptions of web-assisted teaching strategies. Journal of Social Work Education, 39, 3, 443-457

Garavaglia, P. (1993) How to ensure transfer of training. Training and Development, 47, 63-68

Kirkpatrick, D. L. (1998) Evaluating training programs: The four levels. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publications

Knowles. S. (1984) The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species (3rd ed). Houston: Gulf

Kurland, R. & Salmon, R. (1998) Teaching a methods course in social work with groups. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education

Levine, J. (2013) Teaching groupwork at a distance using an asynchronous on-line role-play. Groupwork, 23, 1, 56-72

Madoc-Jones, I. & Parrott, L. (2005) Virtual social work education: Theory and experience. Social Work Education, 24, 7, 755-768

Maidment, J. (2005) Teaching social work online: Dilemmas and debates. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 24, 2, 185-195

Moore, B. (2005) Faculty perceptions of web-based instruction in social work education. in R. J. MacFadden, B. Moore, M. Herie & D. Schoech Web-based education in human services: Models, methods and best practices. New York: Haworth Press

Mott, V. (2000) The development of professional expertise in the workplace. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 86, 23-31

Muskat, B. & Mesbur E.S. (2011) Variations in teaching social work with groups in the age of technology. Groupwork, 21, 1, 6-27

Oulette, P.M. & Chang, V. (2004) The acquisition of social work interviewing skills in a web-based classroom instructional environment: Preliminary findings. Advances in social work, 5, 1, 91-104

Palloff, R. M. & Pratt, K. (2007) Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

Parr, J. & Ward, L. (2006) Building on foundations: creating an online community. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14, 4, 775-794

Petracchi, H.E. (2000) Distance education: What do our students tell us? Research on Social Work Practice, 10, 3, 362-376

Randolph, K. A. & Krause, D. J. (2002) Mutual aid in the classroom: An instructional technology application. Journal of Social Work Education, 38, 259–271

Regehr, C. (2013) Trends in higher education in Canada and implications for social work education. Social Work Education, 32, 6, 700-714

Schwartz, W. (1971) On the uses of groups in social work practice. in W. Schwartz, & S. Zalba (Eds.) The practice of group work. New York: Columbia University Press (pp.3-24)

Simon, S.R. & Stauber, K. W. (2009) Group Work Education—Use of Technology in Teaching. in A. Gitterman and R. Salmon (Eds) Encyclopedia of social work with groups. New York: Routledge (pp.128-130)

Simon, S. R. & Stauber, K. W. (2011) Technology and group work: A mandate and an opportunity. Groupwork: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Working with Groups, 21, 3, 71-85

Siebert, D.C., Siebert, C. F. & Spaulding-Givens, J. (2006) Teaching Clinical Social Work Skills Primarily Online: An Evaluation. Journal of Social Work Education, 42, 2, 325-36

Suler, J. (2004) The On-line Disinhibition Effect. The Psychology of Cyberspace. [Accessed 24 December 2009 at http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/disinhibit.html ]

Steinberg, D.M. (2014) The Mutual-Aid Approach to Working with Groups: Helping People Help One Another, Third Edition. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press

Tandy, C. & Meacham, M. (2009) Removing the barriers for students with disabilities: Accessible on-line and web-enhanced courses. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 29,313-328

Wilke, D.J., Randolph, K. A. & Vinton, L. (2009) Enhancing Web-based Courses through a Mutual Aid Framework. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 29, 1, 18-31