ABSTRACT

Completing a social work graduate degree can be an exciting and a challenging time for students, but the addition of a global pandemic is likely impacting their educational experiences. Using a modified version of Photovoice, a photography-based research methodology, and reflection essays, this exploratory study sought to elevate the voices of graduate students’ (N = 16) perspective on learning during COVID in an American university. Findings from the qualitative analyses of the photographs and their captions and the reflective essays suggested that many students realized their inner strength by persevering when life got very hard. Themes from these analyses were slightly more positive (i.e. support from others; developing coping strategies; improved graduate experience) than negative (i.e. loneliness; emotional; being sick). Students’ viewpoint on learning during COVID provides insight into how instructors can develop creative pedagogies and support students as they persist in their pursuit of a social work degree.

摘要

完成社会工作研究生学位对学生来说可能是一个令人兴奋和充满挑战的时期，但全球流行病的加入可能会影响他们的教育经历。使用修改版的 Photovoice、基于摄影的研究方法和反思论文，这项探索性研究旨在提升研究生的声音（N= 16) 对美国大学 COVID 期间学习的看法。对照片及其标题和反思性文章的定性分析结果表明，许多学生在生活非常艰难时通过坚持不懈地意识到自己的内在力量。这些分析的主题（即来自他人的支持；制定应对策略；改善毕业生体验）略高于消极（即孤独；情绪化；生病）。学生在 COVID 期间对学习的看法提供了对教师如何发展创造性教学法并在学生坚持追求社会工作学位时提供支持的见解。