Social Work Students’ Challenges in Flexible Learning and Implications for Social Work Education: A Study in Bicol, Philippines

Angelo Uclaray; Thea Mari  Magdasoc; Andrea Joyce Noora; Ma. Vida Teresa Sales

doi:10.58671/aswj.v11i1.36

Authors

Angelo Uclaray Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Philippines
Thea Mari Magdasoc Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy & Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5, Philippines
Andrea Joyce Noora Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy & Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5, Philippines
Ma. Vida Teresa Sales Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i1.36

Keywords:

Flexible learning, Virtual Social Work Learning, Social Work Education, COVID-19 Educational Challenges, Implications

Abstract

Social work students encountered different challenges as they experience online and distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly, examining the learners’ situations can contribute in obtaining evidence-based knowledge useful in enhancing academic policies and practices. Hence, this study investigated on the personal, institutional, learning environment, and technological challenges of social work students when flexible learning was implemented. It sought to discuss policy implications for social work education. The study captured 296 respondents in one university in the Bicol Region, Philippines. The researcher-made survey questionnaire used in the study obtained a coefficient of a=0.92, which means that the whole scale's reliability estimate was highly acceptable. The instrument was in Google Forms and distributed to the respondents online. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistics for interpretation and analysis. The results revealed that the frequently encountered challenges were: having to fulfill home and school responsibilities simultaneously, overlapping activities/tasks from two or more subjects, power interruptions, and having an unstable mobile data connection. Therefore, the academic community, including the administrators, student organizations, faculty members, and all equally essential stakeholders can address the identified challenges through policy enhancement and partnership building with organizations and companies offering technology-related services.

Author Biographies

Angelo Uclaray, Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Philippines

Angelo C. Uclaray, is a social worker and a faculty member of the Social Work Department at Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Previously, he worked as a City Link and a Project Development Officer in the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IV-A for three years, under the implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer Program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program). In addition, he served as a project staff in the DSWD-funded research project on KALAHI CIDSS- National Community Driven Development Program (KC-NCDDP), particularly on identifying the factors affecting timely completion of the sub-projects in Bicol and the factors influencing the community volunteers to seek elective position in the local government. Among his research interests include social work education, field instruction, mental health, and social work experiences in various fields or settings. His recent publications include, author of the article titled “Stress and Wellbeing of Social Work Students in Field Instruction” published in the Journal of Teaching in Social Work and lead author of the article titled “Social Workers’ Roles, Challenges, and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Albay, Bicol” published in the Philippine Journal of Social Development.

Thea Mari Magdasoc, Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy & Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5, Philippines

Thea Mari M. Magdasoc, is a registered social worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Presently, she is working as a project development officer in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region V. She believes that strengthening the impact and importance of humanitarian work is essential for the protection of human rights.

Andrea Joyce Noora, Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy & Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5, Philippines

Andrea Joyce A. Noora, is a registered social worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. She began her professional career at the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Manila as a medical social worker. She worked to ensure that the poor and disadvantaged had access to quality healthcare. Her primary responsibility was to categorize patients through a process of interviews, assessments, referrals, and coordination with partner foundations, granting a total of 39 major and minor surgical operations. At present, she continues to perform her duties as a Social Welfare Officer II under the Department of Social Welfare and Development with the goal of assisting more sectors. Her main responsibility is to provide direct intervention and assistance. With these experiences, she hopes to become a more effective social worker whose main responsibility is to assist community's most vulnerable groups.

Ma. Vida Teresa Sales, Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Ma. Vida Teresa O. Sales, an Associate Professor from the Social Work Department, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, with a master’s degree in social work and a doctorate degree in social development. Her published research is entitled "Core Competencies and Work Performance of Bicol University College of Arts and Sciences Graduates: Basis for Curriculum Re-engineering". Other research involvements include being a study leader in a research about the sustainability of the ESGP-PA in Bicol Region and project staff of the research that evaluated the KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP in the Bicol Region that looked into the determinants of timely completion of the sub-projects and the motivation of the community volunteers to run for public office. The latter was proclaimed Best Paper for Social Development Category during the 2020 RDE Exemplar Awards of Bicol University. Both researches were DSWD-funded. During the pandemic, she was part of a research that conducted a study about the Perceptions, Experiences, and Needs of Social Work Students on Migrating Classes to Distance Mode during the Pandemic. Her recent research is titled Development and Validation of the Intervention Program on Mental Health and Resilience for BUPC Pre-Service Teachers and Faculty.

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