Prospects and Challenges of Online Social Work: On-the-spot Report of Lecture 8 and Lecture 9

On the afternoon of July 16, the 12th ISUSW entered the later stage of Lecture 8 and Lecture 9. Professors from Taiwan and India shared their online practices with us, respectively.

At the beginning of Lecture 8, group moderator, Dr. Sun Yanyan, expressed her thanks to the teachers and students from eight universities worldwide. Then she briefly introduced Professor Miriam Mei Lin Liu from Soochow University in Taipei. Prof. Liu's lecture is entitled “online sexual growing challenges of child image-based sexual exploration”. In the lecture, Professor Liao mentioned that digital technology not only spreads in ordinary life but also widely exists in the field of crime. Users of camera phones and social communities are ready-made platforms for sexual harassment, text messaging, and image-based sexual abuse and exploitation. Then, by reviewing the literature at home and abroad, Prof. Liu introduced the concept of cyber sexual violence. At the same time, Prof. Liu analyzed the relationship between women and technology from the perspective of feminism and proved that the current technology is “male technology”. For example, the image created by cosmetology and other technologies is often the female image expected by men. At the end of the lecture, students and teachers from Taiwan exchanged views on the way and process of Internet bullying. The Professor gave us a definitive answer from the example of “trick or treat” to the “sex trade” carried out by teenagers for video games. The process of the Professor's explanation inspired us to think dialectically. Science and technology not only brought us convenience but also brought us new problems, such as network fraud and network sexual violence. It also provided new approaches for the expansion of the field of social work.

Under the careful arrangement by technical assistant Cui Zhijie, we listened to the 9th lecture,“online social work field education: prospects and challenges”. The presenting lecturer, Dr. Sunrise I.P., is a faculty and field education director of rajagiri College of Social Sciences, with more than 20 years of experience. The popularity of the COVID-19 has transformed social work students world wideintoan “online” learning experience. This lecture focuses on the online fieldwork of local social work students, expounds on the broad prospects of online fieldwork and the innovation of social work practice methods. The lecture also revealed the challenges encountered and the management of these challenges, and deeply discussed several education models developed and implemented under the “new normal” (COVID-19). These attempts in India caused extensive debate. One student inquired about the difficulties in carrying out the four working modes proposed by Dr. Sunrise I.P. the teacher also enthusiastically shared some specific problems she encountered regarding resources, workforce, etc., and selected particular cases with various modes for a vivid explanation. Dr. Sun Yanyan also actively participated in the discussion and communicated with Dr. Sunrise I.P. on the problems encountered in the supervisor's identity. The new era background brings new problems, and brings new opportunities; how to use the tide of the times for professional development is the issue that every social work student should consider.

The quality of online courses is closely related to platform technology. In the early stage, the students at Shandong University carefully compared the software of online classes. Because of its advantages of convenient operation, smooth picture, and comprehensive functions, Microsoft Teams was chosen as the platform to carry out activities. The playback function and grouping function of the venuewill meet the needs of the course. We hope to increase the meeting reminder function to ensure that members can attend the meeting on time.

The two courses have benefited the students a lot. More and more inspirations can be inspired, and the students’oral English can be significantly improved. Looking forward to our next online meeting!

Written by Kong Han (MSW student, SDU)

July 17, 2021