An evaluation framework for the use of a personalised online learning environment in a social work program

The online technology, Pebble+ was recently embedded in the curriculum of the new Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) degree. This technology addresses two purposes. First, it provides each student with a personalised online learning environment where they can access and interact with course material, from which they create their own resources (known as assets) to facilitate their learning and demonstrate their emerging capabilities in social work. Second, it allows students to generate an electronic portfolio from the assets created, for presentation to potential field supervisors and employers. This presentation overviews the evaluation framework developed to research the implementation of this new initiative. The framework is based on our social constructivist pedagogy, which informs the whole curriculum. The evaluation research questions include: How effectively does the approach support student development of critical reflective practice and practice wisdom? How effectively does the approach enable students to better recognise and articulate what they know and what they can do as emerging social workers?