The Challenges of Social Work for Practical Major Students at Times of Crises from the Perspective of Mentors

Abstract

This paper examines the challenges, as reported from the professors’ perspective, faced by students in their field course of a baccalaureate social work program during the coronavirus pandemic. The paper also proposes improvements in the field training course for use in any future crisis. Furthermore, it aims to highlight the importance of field training for the students. Using a qualitative approach, researchers interviewed a sample of eight faculty mentors (3 men and 5 women) who taught and supervised students in the baccalaureate programs from the University of Jordan, Al-Balqa' Applied University, and Dhofar University. Study results show that students face numerous challenges, such as lack of communication between them and the supervisors in the field institutions, student dissatisfaction with the concept and implementation of online-training training, struggle in learning basic skills to handle certain intervention situations, and the difficulty of applying these skills remotely. Recommendation: Increased use of smart devices and digital platforms during field practice. The creation of new education materials that include visual elements that can be used more interactively in an online environment.