Developing a Successful Online Field Program: Insights and Strategies from Dr. M. Sebrena Jackson
Join Dr. M. Sebrena Jackson, LCSW, as she shares valuable lessons learned in creating an online field education program at Walden University. Participants will discover the key components necessary for success, address challenges specific to online environments, and review crucial takeaways for effective field education. With insights drawn from her experience, Dr. Jackson highlights the importance of staffing, policies, processes, and partnerships, equipping attendees with strategies to enhance their own programs. Transform your approach to online field education today!
Developing a Successful Online Field Program: Insights and Strategies from Dr. M. Sebrena Jackson
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Developing a Successful Field Program in an Online Environment: Lessons Learned Dr. M. Sebrena Jackson, LCSW Director of Field
Learning Objectives • Objective 1: Participants will discover key components of developing a successful online field education program • Objective 2: Participants will discuss the challenges of field education in an online environment • Objective 3: Participants will review lessons learned
Who We Are • The Walden University mission • Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change. • My background • What led me to Walden?
Our MSW Program • Launched September 2013 • 2 year program of study (for full-time students) • Standard MSW Curriculum • Case study (video and written) • Must attend two, 4-day in-person Residencies • One residency before foundation placement & second residency before concentration placement
Residency 4-day intensive training held at locations throughout the country Taught by Walden Social Work faculty Provide professional/academic advising Opportunity to assess student’s readiness for field Sessions on current topics in social work
Field Program Overview • 4 Field Staff • Field Director –remotely from GA • 2 Field Education Coordinators, 1 administrative assistant-in Minneapolis office • Placed our first group of students March 2014 • Students placed in 43 states • Currently 142 students in field
Field Program Overview • Students complete 1000 hours of field • 500 hours foundation • 500 hours concentration • Students are enrolled in a field seminar course during field • Students participate in a weekly synchronous call during field • Field Liaisons teach field course and conduct virtual site visits
Online Field Education ProgramFramework • 5 Key Components • (1) Staff • (2) Processes • (3) Policies • (4) Systems • (5) Partnerships
Component 1: Staff Credentials Experience Personality Creativity Flexibility Teamwork
Component 2: Policies Identify key stakeholders Policies to guide practice with each stake holder Students Agencies Field Team
Component 3: Processes • The Field Education Office developed processes and procedures to manage: • Student applications • Agency approvals • Instructor approvals • Student Placements at agencies
Component 4: Systems • To meet the needs of students, agencies, and instructors we developed: • Communication strategies that are personal and efficient. • A centralized database to track student, agency, and instructor information. • A Field Education website for students and external constituents. • Templates and written explanations to keep our message consistent. • Criteria for agency and instructor approvals
Technological Tools to Enhance Strategies • A few tools that enhance our service: • Roll email account • Video conference • Phone/Text • Real-Time orientation • MS products: Access, Outlook, Share Point, PP, etc. • Cloud product for documents • Website manager • Instant Messenger
Component 5: Partnerships • MSW Field Office collaborated with a number of offices & programs: • Other Walden academic programs (counseling, nursing, education) • Central Office of Field Experience (COFE) • Career Services • Core Faculty • Comportment • Office of Institutional Research
Field Challenges • Challenges look similar to on the ground programs • Working with students • Diverse population • Knowledge of profession • Working with agencies nationally • Staffing needs • Comportment issues • Getting students to apply to field
Lessons Learned • Change! Change! Change! Continuously • Everything (Processes, Policies, Procedures) • Continue to keep students involved in the process • Students have buy-in when they are involved in the identification of agency sites • Field office isn’t blamed when things don’t work out • It can be done • Field instructors are open to using technology • Social workers in practice are embracing online education
References Vernon, R., Vakalahi, H., Pierce, D., Pittman- Munke, P., & Adkins, L. (2009). Distance education programs in social work: Current and emerging trends. Journal of Social Work Education, Vol. 45 (2). Council on Social Work Education.
Contact Information Dr. Sebrena Jackson, LCSW 404-403-4291 Sebrena.jackson@waldenu.edu