Building Professional Practice Education Cultures in the Online Environment

Abstract

The gradual introduction of Internet-based delivery methods into higher education has broadened technology usage and led to reflection on the pedagogical implications for social work education taught online, with considerations for content, design and delivery. This chapter reviews the use of online technologies in post secondary education, the use of critical reflection as a pedagogical tool, and social work field education, to contextualize the experience of the Dalhousie University School of Social Work’s distance delivery field education course. In the experience of Dalhousie University School of Social Work, the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes of its student practitioners have been enhanced through the use of online integrative seminar case analysis and critical reflection facilitated via distance delivery. This chapter develops the connections among the online environment, adult education principles, and critical reflection on field education in social work, to craft an expanded message regarding transformative social work practice.