Social Work Student Experiences of Completing Internships in Canada During COVID-19: Application of a Remote Learning Plan

ABSTRACT

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic as a result of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Public health authorities throughout Canada were emphasizing early detection, physical distancing, hand washing, sheltering in place through household and self-isolation, and the closing of schools and businesses. For universities it meant the cancelation of classes and an immediate move to virtual or online learning to finish semesters, some of which were within weeks of completion, others that were just beginning. For the School of Social Work at King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada, the restrictions and limitations imposed by the pandemic had far reaching implications that went beyond a disruption in classroom instruction and also meant terminating or suspending field practicums. Rather than having student learning succumb to the virus, the School of Social Work instituted a creative solution that involved the students developing Remote Learning Plans with the support of their Field Instructors and Faculty Consultants who would serve to minimize the disruption to the students’ learning. This study explores the student experience in moving to remote learning plans – specifically what challenges, changes, and opportunities for growth it provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Canada
• COVID-19
• field placement
• internship
• pandemic
• practicum
• social work
• social work students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. For an examination of field instructor experiences and perceptions, see Arundel, Arundel et al. (2022). Social work field practicum instruction during COVID-19: Facilitation of the remote learning plan. Field Educator, 21(1).