Visiting Danes confident of overcoming 'scepticism' about distance model for social work degree
Published on 06 August, 2012
Visiting Danish academics Gordon Vincenti and Anke Beuck acknowledge some scepticism exists in Denmark about whether social work can be taught through distance education, even if it is supplemented by residential schools and practical placements.
However, having embedded themselves in a residential school for CQUniversity students, they are convinced they are on the right track to introduce a similar program at their home institution, Denmark's VIA University College.
Mr Vincenti says that, since distance educators can't adjust to students' queries on a daily face-to-face basis, there's a greater need for precise written communication and a clear understanding of learning outcomes.
"During our visit we've seen similarities in our way of doing things, aiming to be applicable, applied, building individual learning, and a learning journey," he says.
"We've been inspired to see the distance education model is certainly 'doable' ... it's not like putting a person on the moon!"
CQUniversity lecturer Dr Daniel Teghe, who helped host the visitors in Rockhampton, said there was a common goal to avoid a totally western perspective on social work.
"There are other ways of understanding social work, with global, diverse and Indigenous perspectives on supporting people," he said.
Dr Teghe said Mr Vincenti and Ms Beuck were able to visit CQUniversity as part of a European Union-Australia joint mobility project, which had also enabled student exchanges.
He said CQUniversity students and staff were able to gain fresh insights from a Danish perspective, during panel discussions at the residential school.
Ms Beuck said there would be an opportunity to build partnerships in the Social Work field between Denmark and Australia. She noted that "even though we've come from the other side of the world we can recognise what's being said in the residential school... there's even some common literature".
"There will be tangible results from this visit," she said.