Exploring the Impact of Online Learning (OL) over Conventional Learning (CL) on the Professional Development of MSW Students across India in the Post-Pandemic Era

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has generated unprecedented public-health concerns. Many countries have imposed lockdowns to reduce social contact and contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. It forced the institutes to change their teaching methods from Conventional Learning (CL) to Online Learning (OL), meanwhile, it badly effected stream like Social Work which is more focused of practical, and field works. Aims and Objectives: The research study aimed to investigate the impact and effectiveness of the OL over CL post COVID-19 Pandemic era in MSW students across India. Methodology: The Survey study design was used for the study. This study was conducted via online platform from various social work institutes across India (12 States). 391 participants were completed the study. All were given digital consent and followed by socio-demographic details and the scale (A modified self-assessment questionnaire for OL and CL) were used to assess participants’ impact on OL over CL. Results: The results of the study revealed that, MSW students adapted (AT) to new learning technology, meanwhile theoretical learning (TL) and Practical learning (PL) were deteriorated without good direct supervision. State wise result shows that, West Bengal students were more capable in AT (44.06), TL (23.71), PL (34.14) and OL (34.14), while, Karnataka students were less interested in AT (38.54), in TL (16.52) Kerala students like to follow Conventional Learning, in PL (20.50) Telangana students are more prone to CL and lastly, Tamil Nadu students were most likely to follow CL over OL (27.83).  Conclusion and Implications: The COVID-19 pandemic led a revolutionary change in the education system in India, these changes were adapted to a new teaching platform (OL). However, since then lacking a good practical supervision for social work education in India.