Sunday, 16 January 2005 - 8:45 AM

This presentation is part of: Social Work Education

Research on the Evaluation of Alternative MSW Programs

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to discuss evaluation of distance learning (off-campus or online programs)in social work using multiple measures.

Methods: Two types of alternative MSW programs are offered at the School of Social Work at Florida State University: 1) off-campus face-to-face (F2F) programs, and 2) a completely online program. Campus and distant students were compared using self-efficacy, anonymous and F2F field evaluation, and exit survey tools. F2F and online students were compared using two pre- to posttest measures of knowledge and skills: 1) a 35-item multiple choice Social Work Knowledge Test that asks about values, ethics, theories, direct practice skills, social policy, behavior in the social environment, and research; and 2) a 30-item Content and Area Survey that is a self-assessment of knowledge and the ability to demonstrate skills noted in CSWE's EPAs. Items were scored from 1 (low or very limited) to 5 (exceptional knowledge or ability). For the first comparison of on- and off-campus students, a sample was drawn of 161 on-campus (the vast majority of whom attended classes on a full-time basis) and 64 off-campus part-time students, along with 64 field instructors. For the evaluation of online versus F2F learning, 24 advanced standing online students were compared to 77 F2F advanced standing students.

Results: In comparing on- and off-campus students, self-efficacy ratings were similarly lower for indirect practice areas (social policy, research). Means were significantly different for only 4 of 30 items with off-campus students scoring lower in each case: knowledge of issues related to cultural diversity, the ability to conduct culturally-competent practice, the history of social work, and the ability to understand the effects that cultural and personal biases have on practice. What was interesting is that field instructors of both on- and off-campus students consistently rated students lower when their ratings were done anonymously versus in person. Mean pretest, posttest, and pre-to-post difference scores on the Social Work Knowledge Test and self-evaluation scores for online and F2F students were not found to differ. Grades earned by online students were compared to grades received by students enrolled in the F2F version of the same class with the same instructor, thus controlling for variability. No significant difference was seen between the groups. There were also no differences for seven of the eight items on the final course evaluation instrument. For the item, “facilitation of learning,” there was a significant difference with the mean rating being higher for the F2F students (p=.044).

Implications for Social Work Practice: For over two decades, faculty and administrators at Florida State University’s School of Social Work have helped to meet the needs of non-traditional students by offering part-time, off-campus and more recently, online MSW education. Continuous evaluation has shown these alternative formats to be effective. Expansion of the online program into rural areas will help to meet the growing needs in areas such as aging and child welfare for master’s level social work practitioners.

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