Stay with the ‘FLO’: evaluating a mobile texting service to enhance social work student retention while on placement

Abstract

Practice placements are a trigger point for social work students dropping out of university. This small pilot study, explores the use of ‘FLO’, an automated text message service, to support social work students on their 70-day placement. Participants were asked to complete a FLO evaluation questionnaire and to attend a focus group to explore their experiences. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of focus group transcripts. Five key themes emerged: student retention, sense of belonging and attendance; importance of the initial text message; frequency of FLO text messages and reminders; stopping the FLO and the future potential of FLO. Student retention was 100% during the placement period. Issues concerning the costs incurred by participants when sending reply text messages were also evident. The authors conclude that FLO, or other similar mobile technologies may be a useful addition to approaches to improve undergraduate social work student retention rates during placement. However, the correct focus and student involvement in designing the content of the text messages is critical.

Keywords:

• Student retention
• attrition
• technology-assisted communication
• practice learning
• adult learning

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to all students who participated in FLO and who contributed their views so openly in the focus groups. Thanks to Staffordshire University TESS for funding this initiative and to Terri Rapson for her involvement in establishing FLO within the University. Thanks to Lisa Morgan for organising FLO meetings, data entry and transcribing, and to Carol Quinn for assisting with FLO administration and recruiting to the focus group.