Abstract:

The problems and the challenges posed by the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the functioning and development of all spheres of public life, find their specific manifestation in the organization of practical training of students in the field of "Social Activities". Given the strong emphasis on practical exercises and various practices in social institutions which provide services to the most risky in terms of impact on life and health of the population - adults, children and people with disabilities, universities face a serious challenge to ensure and maintain balance between the quality of the process of education of future social workers and the responsibility to preserve the lives and health of these vulnerable groups. The limitations imposed in connection with the implementation of all the measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID 19 and the negative effects on people's working and social life are also reflected in the impossibility or limited opportunities to conduct practical process of education in a real environment. As a possible solution in the current situation, but with the nature of a temporary alternative to the real practice of social work training, are the remote online meetings and discussion with managers and employees in social institutions, with users of services in specific practical situations to determine effective forms of social support. The purpose of the report is to analyze and systematize the factors that have a motivating effect on students' behavior in their practical training, carried out in a whole or in a part in remote form of education to make the necessary changes to adapt the learning process to new conditions. On the basis of a survey among students majoring in "Social Activities" at the University of Plovdiv, lecturers from the department and heads of social institutions involved in their practical training are defined factors that are crucial for the formation of motivation for active participation in implementation of practical training in distance form of education. The main problems are presented and the positions and reactions of the different parties involved in the process of practical training on the necessary and adequate actions for motivated and active participation in the practical training of students in the field of "Social Activities" are analyzed. The obtained results and the formulated conclusions from the survey on students' motivation, opportunities and potential of distance learning as a substitute or complementary form in the process of practical training were used to justify proposals for changes and adaptations to the content of the learning process.

Keywords:

Social work, practical training, motivation, covid 19.