Vol. 39 No. 1 (2024)
Research Articles

Field placements during a global pandemic: Lessons learned from positive experiences

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Susan Burke
University of Northern British Columbia
Bio
Lisa Kyle
Bio
Joanna Pierce
Bio
Rachel Anatole
Bio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55667/10.55667/ijede.2024.v39.i1.1312

Published 2024-07-18

How to Cite

Burke, S., Kyle, L., Pierce, J., & Anatole, R. (2024). Field placements during a global pandemic: Lessons learned from positive experiences . International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education Revue Internationale Du E-Learning Et La Formation à Distance, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.55667/10.55667/ijede.2024.v39.i1.1312

Copyright (c) 2024 International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education / Revue internationale du e-learning et la formation à distance

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Abstract

This study describes research conducted with Master of Social Work (MSW) students and alumni who completed all or part of their graduate practicum during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It arises from observations by the first three authors, who are all faculty in a post-secondary social work program in northern British Columbia. These faculty observed that, despite myriad challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, many graduate students reported benefits from completing a practicum during this time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants, revealing three themes: 1) advantages from flexibility in completing practicum requirements, 2) enhanced connections, and 3) richer learning experiences. This article discusses those themes and their sub-themes, and offers suggestions for how the people involved with post-secondary professional programs can use what was learned from the unprecedented time around the COVID-19 pandemic to inform field education. As people involved in post-secondary professional programs, faculty and staff, university administrators, community organizations and professionals, and accreditation bodies may find this study helpful.

Keywords: Field education, practicum placements, COVID-19, student experiences

Stages pendant une pandémie mondiale : Leçons tirées d'expériences positives
Résumé : Cette étude décrit la recherche menée auprès d'étudiants et d'anciens étudiants en maîtrise en travail social (MSW) qui ont effectué la totalité ou une partie de leur stage d'études supérieures au plus fort de la pandémie de COVID-19. Elle découle d’observations effectuées par les trois premiers auteurs, qui sont tous professeurs dans un programme postsecondaire de travail social dans le nord de la Colombie-Britannique. Ces professeurs ont observé que, malgré la myriade de défis associés à la pandémie de COVID-19, de nombreux étudiants diplômés ont déclaré avoir tiré profit de la réalisation d'un stage pendant cette période. Des entretiens semi-structurés ont été menés avec 11 participants, révélant trois thèmes : 1) les avantages de la flexibilité pour remplir les exigences du stage, 2) l'amélioration des relations et 3) des expériences d'apprentissage plus riches. Cet article aborde ces thèmes et leurs sous-thèmes, et propose des suggestions sur la manière dont les personnes impliquées dans les programmes professionnels post-secondaires peuvent utiliser les enseignements tirés de cette période sans précédent de la pandémie de COVID-19 concernant les formations pratiques. Les personnes impliquées dans les programmes professionnels post-secondaires, le corps enseignant et le personnel, les administrateurs d'université, les organisations et les professionnels de la communauté, ainsi que les organismes d'accréditation, sont susceptibles de tirer profit de cette étude.
Mots-clés : Formation sur le terrain, stages pratiques, COVID-19, expériences des étudiants

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