Evaluation of Field Training References in Social Work and Improvement of Its Strategies at al-Quds Open University

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the field training references in the field of social work and link them to the general practice of the profession in its various fields in order to develop and update the field training references.
The researchers used the social survey method in the available sample method. The sample of the study consisted of the following: (1) al-Quds Open University students of social work specialization in the West Bank branches in various field training courses; (2) social workers working in social institutions, who supervise the field training students; and, (3) faculty members supervising the field training courses at the Faculty of Social Development at al-Quds Open University in all branches of the West Bank. The study sample consisted of 326 individuals divided as follows, 32 faculty members, 192 students of social work, and 102 social workers.
To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers developed two tools. The first is a «questionnaire» to evaluate the references for field training at al-Quds Open University divided into four training courses. A questionnaire was prepared for each training course addressed to both students and faculty members supervising the field training courses and social workers. The second is a question guide for focus groups for each training manual.
The results of the study showed that the degree of evaluation of faculty members, social workers, and field students for the field training references in the four social work is «high». The mean of the Field Training Manual 1 was 3.3424, the Field Training Manual 2 was 3.3398, while the Field Training Manual 3 was 3.4210, and the Field Training Manual 4 was 3.2796.
Staff members, social workers, and students made several observations and recommendations on each of the four references. Most notably, the manual did not include a mechanism and the appropriate way to write the report in the field training manual 1. Regarding the field guide 2.
Finally, they recommended that the field training manual 4 include model reports, which would improve the students› writing of the reports.

DOI: 10.33977/0507-000-052-007