This article discusses the current debate surrounding online instruction (also known as distance) versus in-class social work instruction and reviews the relevant literature associated with those instructional models. The discussion specifically focuses on key issues, including the definition and growth of online education and the Blackboard revolution, and it addresses concerns about the effectiveness of teaching online compared to in-class social work instruction in areas related to students’ learning outcomes and satisfaction. Literature references also suggest that factors such as demographics may be related to outcome differences between distance and traditional students, while others found no significant differences between both student populations and their learning outcomes in particular courses such as research methods courses. Even today, however, the comparisons between online and traditional courses are unsettled, and many questions remain about the appropriateness or usefulness of these models. Therefore, the debate will continue to lead to even larger disagreements between researchers and educators on both sides. The concern about the effectiveness of teaching in an online environment is still the main concern of educational models in general and of social work education in particular. Even deeper concerns are found among educators and scholars about the ethical issues surrounding the entire online education debate.

As the literature on the disability movement in Africa is quite limited, this paper sheds some light on its current status in one particular African country: Egypt. Due to its history and location within North Africa, Egypt's culture is a mixture of Middle Eastern/Arab and indigenous African elements and influences. The following literature-based overview is designed to highlight such issues as societal attitudes, disability laws, and governmental control and management in the context of a service delivery system designed for disabled people. In conclusion, implications for social work practice are mentioned, and some recommendations to close the existing service gaps are suggested.

American Muslims are frequently called offensive names. Yet,
despite the pernicious effects of such derogatory language, a
paucity of research has examined this phenomenon. This study
set out to address this gap in the literature by determining
which Muslims are most at risk to report being called disparaging
names. Using a community sample of Muslims (N = 275),
the logistic regression results revealed that Muslims who were
younger, single, and spoke primarily English at home were
comparatively more likely to report being called offensive
names within the past 12 months. Conversely, both Asian
and African American Muslims were less likely to report being
called offensive names compared to European American
Muslims. The article concludes by offering some tentative
explanations for the findings and suggesting some implications
for practice with, and on behalf, of Muslim clients.

Hijab or veiling is commonly practiced by Muslim women but remains controversial in the broader secular society. Some Western feminists argue that veiling is an oppressive behavior that negatively affects women by, for example, engendering depression. This article tests this hypothesis with a national sample of American Muslim women (N = 194). The results of the regression analysis did not support the hypothesis. Indeed, women who veiled more frequently reported lower, rather than higher, levels of depressive symptoms. In other words, wearing the hijab appears to be a protective factor in the area of depression. Given the prevalence of depression among women, the results have important implications for practice with Muslim women at both the micro and the macro levels.

This study examines the relationship between encouragement and
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among a sample of American
Muslims, in tandem with the potential mediating effects of depression
and spirituality. To conduct this cross-sectional study, a model
was developed and tested using structural equation modeling
(SEM) with a community sample of Muslims (N = 284). The results
indicate that encouragement has a direct, positive effect on
HRQOL. Neither depression nor spirituality mediated the relationship
between encouragement and HRQOL. Rather, both variables
exhibited a direct, independent effect on HRQOL. In addition,
spirituality exhibited an indirect effect on HRQOL through attenuating
depression. The findings underscore the importance of
encouragement as a pathway to enhance HRQOL among
Muslims in post-9/11 America. The results also suggest that spirituality
can play a significant role in fostering HRQOL among
Muslims, both directly and indirectly by reducing the effects of
depression on HRQOL.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Washington Group General Measure of Disability for older adults. Materials and Methods: This study used the 2012 California Health Interview Survey. The sample included 14,115 non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults aged 65 and older. Analysis was conducted using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), parallel and Tau-equivalent tests. Results: The results indicated that the measure was valid for use with older adults (Satorra Bentler χ2 = 13.27, df = 3, p = 0.005, GFI = 0.996). Multi-group CFA indicated comparisons were valid between Whites with Blacks, and Hispanics with Asians. Cognitive disability was associated with independent living disability for Whites and Blacks, and with sensory disability for Hispanics and Asians. Conclusions: Findings indicated the measure is valid for cross-cultural comparison for certain racial/ethnic groups. Further research is needed to...

Introduction: This study aims to determine the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Washington Group General Measure of Disability for older adults. Materials and Methods: This study used the 2012 California Health Interview Survey. The sample included 14,115 non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults aged 65 and older. Analysis was conducted using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), parallel and Tau-equivalent tests. Results: The results indicated that the measure was valid for use with older adults (Satorra Bentler χ2 = 13.27, df = 3, p = 0.005, GFI = 0.996). Multi-group CFA indicated comparisons were valid between Whites with Blacks, and Hispanics with Asians. Cognitive disability was associated with independent living disability for Whites and Blacks, and with sensory disability for Hispanics and Asians. Conclusions: Findings indicated the measure is valid for cross-cultural comparison for certain racial/ethnic groups. Further research is needed to...

Introduction: This study aims to determine the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Washington Group General Measure of Disability for older adults. Materials and Methods: This study used the 2012 California Health Interview Survey. The sample included 14,115 non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults aged 65 and older. Analysis was conducted using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), parallel and Tau-equivalent tests. Results: The results indicated that the measure was valid for use with older adults (Satorra Bentler χ2 = 13.27, df = 3, p = 0.005, GFI = 0.996). Multi-group CFA indicated comparisons were valid between Whites with Blacks, and Hispanics with Asians. Cognitive disability was associated with independent living disability for Whites and Blacks, and with sensory disability for Hispanics and Asians. Conclusions: Findings indicated the measure is valid for cross-cultural comparison for certain racial/ethnic groups. Further research is needed to...

Encouragement-or expressions of support designed to instill perseverance and hope in the face of challenging circumstances-is an important concept in the strengths perspective and a central feature of social work practice. Encouragement may be a particularly significant factor for Muslims living in post-9/11 America. Yet, little research has examined this topic despite its relevance. To address this gap in the literature, this cross-sectional study employed a community sample of Muslims (N D 274) to identify which Muslims are disproportionately likely to report receiving expressions of support from other people. The results of the logistic regression indicated that Muslims who were single, Middle Eastern, non-Sunni, and frequent Mosque attenders, were more likely to receive expressions of support compared to those who were married, European American, Sunni, and less frequent Mosque attenders. Conversely, Muslims without a 4-year college education and born aboard were less likely to receive expressions of support compared to those with a graduate degree and born in the US. The paper concludes by offering a tentative explanation for the results and suggesting some implications for practice with Muslim clients. Future researchers might build upon the findings by replicating the study with nationally representative samples.