Distance Education and Organizational Environment

Abstract

As distance education models in social work education continue to grow, this study addresses prevalence and type of models in graduate social work programs and the perceptions of deans about the future of e-learning models of curriculum delivery. The study was an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design including a national survey of 121 deans/directors, followed by group interviews of 15 deans. Findings are that Web-based technology for delivering social work courses is increasing and predicted to grow. Interviews documented the difficulties of transforming organizational environments. Recommendations for social work leadership include convening curriculum leaders in schools of social work to work together to further technology innovations and cross institutional research.