Designing a social work online self-coaching program: Integrated support and joint ownership

Abstract

The paper explores Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in relation to the support structure for an online self-coaching pilot project, by the Centre for Innovative Education and Communication Technologies (CIECT) of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa, in collaboration with UWC’s Social Work Department and the University of South Africa (Unisa). The CSFs focus on concepts of structure and agency. The research study is primarily qualitative but employs supporting quantitative data, and entails an interpretivist approach. The researchers highlight unfolding processes which led to an Instructional Designer (ID) taking on the role of an e-Coach within the pilot study. The importance of the creation of a well-designed environment to strengthen partnerships, and an effective learning pathway for student development is deliberated. The importance of the selection of appropriate eTools is emphasized in order to promote students’ personal learning and eSkills. Moreover, the pilot project is aligned to national imperatives within a South African context, namely student ‘access’ and ‘success’. We recommend the expansion of online self-coaching programs to Social Work students to assist with their self-development and growth.