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Journals / Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet / 2026 / Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3

The Experience of Distance Social Work Education: A SWOT Analysis

Uzaktan Sosyal Hizmet Eğitimi Deneyimi: Bir SWOT Analizi

Mehmet Kırlıoğlu(KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-0130-0841
Demet Akarçay Ulutaş(KTO KARATAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-5872-2549
Dilara Ustabaşı Gündüz(KTO KARATAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8184-8446
Pages
1023–1048
Publication Date
2026-07-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Crucial recommendations are provided to improve distance social work education practices, such as reducing the digital divide, enhancing technological access, developing interaction and relationship skills, establishing a clear framework for record security and confidentiality, and devising strategies to impart practical skills in an online environment.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Distance education in social work offers numerous benefits and diverse experiences, particularly regarding the profession’s development and inclusivity.
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Key Findings & Data:Despite these advantages, significant challenges are also associated with this mode of education.
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Conclusion & Impact:Crucial recommendations are provided to improve distance social work education practices, such as reducing the digital divide, enhancing technological access, developing interaction and relationship skills, establishing a clear framework for record security and confidentiality, and devising strategies to impart practical skills in an online environment.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:2021–2024 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Uzaktan Eğitim · Sosyal Hizmet Eğitimi · SWOT Analizi

Abstract

Distance education in social work offers numerous benefits and diverse experiences, particularly regarding the profession’s development and inclusivity. Despite these advantages, significant challenges are also associated with this mode of education. While existing research has predominantly examined distance education experiences during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic from student perspectives, this study provides a post-crisis, decision-maker-centered analysis spanning both mandatory and voluntary remote education periods (2021–2024). This study explores the strengths and weaknesses of distance social work education and raises awareness about the opportunities and threats (SWOT) related to this educational model. Conducted by qualitative research procedures, this study involved in-depth interviews with 12 academics serving as department chairs or vice-chairs in social work departments. They were involved in decision-making and organizing processes during mandatory remote education periods. The data analysis revealed that the main strengths of distance social work education include accessibility, advanced teaching techniques, and flexibility. In contrast, its weaknesses include the digital divide, technical and copyright issues, and challenges in interpersonal skills development. The opportunities of this educational model encompass global solidarity and justice, access to practice examples, and the promotion of a hybrid model. At the same time, threats include the high cost of technology, concerns about educational quality, and security and ethical issues. Crucial recommendations are provided to improve distance social work education practices, such as reducing the digital divide, enhancing technological access, developing interaction and relationship skills, establishing a clear framework for record security and confidentiality, and devising strategies to impart practical skills in an online environment.

Özet

Sosyal hizmet alanında uzaktan eğitim, özellikle mesleğin gelişimi ve kapsayıcılığı açısından çok sayıda fayda ve farklı deneyimler sunmaktadır. Bu avantajlara rağmen, bu eğitim şekliyle ilgili önemli zorluklar da bulunmaktadır. Mevcut araştırmalar uzaktan eğitim deneyimlerini ağırlıklı olarak COVID-19 pandemisinin akut döneminde ve öğrenci perspektifinden incelemiş olmasına karşın, bu çalışma hem zorunlu hem de gönüllü uzaktan eğitim dönemlerini kapsayan (2021–2024), kriz sonrası sürece odaklanan ve karar alıcı konumundaki akademisyenlerin deneyimlerini merkeze alan bir analiz sunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, uzaktan sosyal hizmet eğitiminin güçlü ve zayıf yönlerini araştırmakta ve bu eğitim modeliyle ilgili fırsatlar ve tehditler (SWOT) hakkında farkındalık yaratmaktadır. Nitel araştırma prosedürleriyle yürütülen bu çalışmada, sosyal hizmet bölümlerinde bölüm başkanı veya başkan yardımcısı olarak görev yapan 12 akademisyenle derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Bu akademisyenler, zorunlu uzaktan eğitim dönemlerinde karar alma ve organizasyon süreçlerinde yer almışlardır. Veri analizi, uzaktan sosyal hizmet eğitiminin temel güçlü yönlerinin erişilebilirlik, gelişmiş öğretim teknikleri ve esneklik olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Buna karşılık, zayıf yönleri arasında dijital uçurum, teknik ve telif hakkı sorunları ve kişiler arası becerilerin geliştirilmesindeki zorluklar yer almaktadır. Bu eğitim modelinin fırsatları arasında küresel dayanışma ve adalet, uygulama örneklerine erişim ve hibrit bir modelin teşvik edilmesi yer almaktadır. Aynı zamanda, tehditler arasında teknolojinin yüksek maliyeti, eğitim kalitesiyle ilgili endişeler, güvenlik ve etik konuları yer almaktadır. Uzaktan sosyal hizmet eğitimi uygulamalarını iyileştirmek için dijital uçurumun azaltılması, teknolojik erişimin artırılması, etkileşim ve ilişki becerilerinin geliştirilmesi, kayıt güvenliği ve gizliliği için net bir çerçeve oluşturulması ve çevrimiçi ortamda pratik becerilerin kazandırılması için stratejiler geliştirilmesi gibi önemli tavsiyelerde bulunulmuştur.

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Cite This Article

Kırlıoğlu, M., Ulutaş, D. A., Gündüz, D. U. (2026). The Experience of Distance Social Work Education: A SWOT Analysis. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3, 1023–1048. https://doi.org/10.33417/tsh.1802956

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