Feasibility And Effectiveness Of Online Learning In Social Work Education In Sri Lanka

The study entitled “Feasibility and Effectiveness of Online Learning in Social Work Education in Sri Lanka” explores the adaptability, accessibility, and pedagogical value of online learning methods introduced in social work education. The shift from conventional classroom-based learning to online platforms—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has brought about significant changes in teaching and learning experiences across higher education. For a discipline such as social work, which relies heavily on experiential and field-based learning, this transition has generated critical questions about maintaining the integrity of skill development and professional values in a digital learning environment.
This research aims to examine the feasibility of integrating online learning into social work education and to assess its effectiveness in achieving learning outcomes, particularly concerning the theory–practice gap. A mixed-method approach was employed, including a quantitative survey among undergraduate students and qualitative interviews with lecturers and fieldwork supervisors. The findings indicate that while online learning has enhanced flexibility, accessibility, and digital competence, it also presents challenges related to interaction quality, fieldwork supervision, and resource inequalities. The study concludes that a blended learning model combining online and face-to-face strategies offers the most effective pathway for sustainable and inclusive social work education in Sri Lanka.