E-connections: Creating online mentoring in social work education

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Author(s)
Hemy, Melanie
McAuliffe, Donna
Fowler, Jane
Year published
2018
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The prospect of studying for a degree as an external or distance student has unlocked the potential for increasing numbers of students to qualify as social workers. However, undertaking education predominantly online is potentially an isolating experience. This paper documents findings from an online mentoring project trialled with Master of Social Work (MSW qualifying) students which aimed to enhance students' connections with the university and with each other. The project framework was deliberately flexible and relied on a collaborative approach. The project found that MSW students utilise several strategies to build ...
View more >The prospect of studying for a degree as an external or distance student has unlocked the potential for increasing numbers of students to qualify as social workers. However, undertaking education predominantly online is potentially an isolating experience. This paper documents findings from an online mentoring project trialled with Master of Social Work (MSW qualifying) students which aimed to enhance students' connections with the university and with each other. The project framework was deliberately flexible and relied on a collaborative approach. The project found that MSW students utilise several strategies to build relationships with each other early in their student careers. Participation in online mentoring was influenced by practical issues, and the students' need or desire for connection with peers, their priorities and communication preferences. Implications for the support of external students are discussed.
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View more >The prospect of studying for a degree as an external or distance student has unlocked the potential for increasing numbers of students to qualify as social workers. However, undertaking education predominantly online is potentially an isolating experience. This paper documents findings from an online mentoring project trialled with Master of Social Work (MSW qualifying) students which aimed to enhance students' connections with the university and with each other. The project framework was deliberately flexible and relied on a collaborative approach. The project found that MSW students utilise several strategies to build relationships with each other early in their student careers. Participation in online mentoring was influenced by practical issues, and the students' need or desire for connection with peers, their priorities and communication preferences. Implications for the support of external students are discussed.
View less >
Journal Title
Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education
Volume
20
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Teacher and student wellbeing
Social work
Professional education and training